Our Security for Eternity - the Gospel of John Sample

Read: John 1:19–42

SOAP: John 1:34

“I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.”

In the introduction to the Gospel of John (1:1–18), we are told about a man named John. John was a witness to the Messiah, so everyone might believe through his testimony. In today’s reading, we see three separate testimonies from John about who Jesus is.

First, John confessed to those sent by religious leaders that he was not Christ. He also said he was not Elijah nor the Prophet. The religious leaders and John knew the Scriptures; they knew God promised to send someone ahead of the Messiah to proclaim Him to the world. John testified that he was the voice the prophet Isaiah talked about, the one who would proclaim the Messiah’s coming.

When John saw Jesus walking nearby, John proclaimed who Jesus was to those around them. He testified that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the Chosen One of God. John knew his purpose was to proclaim the Messiah. He recognized and believed Jesus for who He is. In fact, Luke’s Gospel tells us that John’s mother, Elizabeth, was the first to proclaim that Jesus was Lord after John leapt in her womb (Luke 1:39–45).

After John’s third testimony, two of his own disciples left him and followed Jesus. John had clearly taught his disciples well, for upon his declaration they left and followed Jesus. Because of John’s testimony, these two disciples followed Jesus and brought more people to Him. Andrew and the unnamed disciple (John, the author of this Gospel), believed because of John’s testimony; and, in turn, Peter believed because of Andrew’s testimony.

These initial testimonies of who Jesus is pose a question to us as we read John’s Gospel today: who do you believe Jesus is? Through the course of our study, we will hear many proclamations of who people say Jesus was—from the Messiah and the Son of God to a demon-possessed criminal. But we will also hear seven claims from Jesus Himself about who He is. We must be prepared, like John was, to answer questions about who Jesus is at any time. As we continue our studies, let’s stay committed to discovering the truth about who Jesus is and what He came to do as John continues to prove that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way to eternal life.