By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, January 11, 2009 · Baptism of the Lord
Sermon Text: John 1:19-24
Sermon Theme
John the Baptist is asked several times, “Who are you?” John is presenting an astounding message. He is pointing to Jesus Christ as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” His witness does not go unchallenged. The religious leaders want him to identify himself. He speaks only in the words of Scripture that he is “the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” John, in many ways, is the first disciple. He is the first person in history to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. He refuses to call himself anyone special. He claims to be in the wilderness proclaiming One who is present but unrecognized. Many times even in the New Testament people do not perceive who Jesus is. The question, “Who are you?” is often addressed to him. John is our model. We, like him, are to point to Jesus in the wilderness of our world.
Sermon Outline
- Witness. John is the first witness to Jesus Christ. There is nothing that indicates that John is anyone special. We are simply told, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” John, however, is no hidden, obscure figure. People came out to see him. The religious leaders ask repeatedly, “Who are you?” He answers that he is no one special. He is only “a voice.” John is an example to each one of us. People will want to know who we are. The answer is easy. We are no one special. But we are a witness.
- Wilderness. John is not proclaiming his message in the temple, the market place or the city streets. He is “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness.” The wilderness is a major theme in the Bible. It symbolizes desolation, barrenness and evil. Our world is a wilderness of false hopes, physical indulgence, injustice, poverty and empty idols. We, like John, are not called to escape the world, but to be sustained by God in it. John cannot do this alone. He has disciples. More than this, he can see Christ in the world.
- Wonder. John deals with question after question. When we are seen as followers of Jesus Christ, we will be asked many questions also. “Is Jesus the only savior?” “What about other religions?” “What about sex?” The list goes on. It is not our job to answer all the questions. John responds to his questioners by telling them that Jesus stands among them but they do not know him. One of the key themes in the New Testament is the inability of people to recognize Jesus. The question, “Who are you?” is often addressed to him. Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, is present in the wilderness of our world. The wonder is this: whatever echoes Christ in our world, whatever shows his justice, love and mercy, is an indication of his presence by the Spirit. Our task is humbly to point to him as “the Lamb of God.” Our greatest joy comes from recognizing Christ’s presence with us and for us.
Questions for Us
- If we claim to believe in Jesus Christ, then we are always a witness. How is our witness visible to those in our families, neighborhoods, work places, schools, etc.? How do we respond when people challenge us about our beliefs?
- John emphasizes that he is no one special. He is simply a voice crying in the wilderness. How do we encounter the wilderness of our world? What are examples for us of this wilderness?
- John says to his hearers, “Among you stands one whom you do not know.” How do we discern the presence of Christ in our world? What are some of the ways we can point out the “Lamb of God” to those who don’t know him? What are some of the ways we could strengthen our sense of his presence?
