John 1:19-51

1:19-23 | John the Baptist was not the Christ, not Elijah, not the Prophet predicted by Moses (Deut. 18:15), but God’s voice, preparing the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1).

1:24-34 | John used his influence to point others toward Christ, just as believers today are called to do. John’s message was clear: Behold!

1:29 | John’s Jewish audience understood the title Lamb of God because they had sacrificed many lambs (Ex. 12:3). But this lamb would be the final, ultimate sacrifice who would take away the sin of the world (1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:6-14).

1:35-39 | John the Baptist told even his own disciples to follow Jesus. Jesus’ penetrating question - What do you seek? is for those who truly want to know Him. Genuine followers of Christ are willing to submit themselves to Him (Matt. 4:20-22).

1:46-49 | People do not need to be argued into the kingdom of God. Philip simply told Nathaniel, Come and see. The role of believers is to introduce unbelievers to Jesus, sharing His story and their stories of what He has done.

1:51 | History records that the temple was located at the very spot where Jacob had dreamed of angels going up and down the ladder (Gen. 28:12). So when Jesus refers to angels… ascending and descending upon the Son of Man, it implies that Jesus Himself is the new temple.