John 1:6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.” 22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” 23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the LORD’s coming!’ ”
24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25 asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?” 26 John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. 27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
observation
It is no surprise that the religious leaders didn’t know Jesus. Thirty years ago when King Herod asked them about Jesus, the religious leaders didn’t know, when he was a boy in the temple teaching the people they didn’t know him and now at the beginning of his ministry they still don’t know who he is even though he is standing right there in their midst (v. 26).
They were told in the Old Testament that John the Baptist would be coming and then after John would be the Messiah. They were so blind even though they had an abundance of facts about John and Jesus they still had to send spies to interview John and get some more facts.
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath?
Matthew 21:32 For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn't believe him,It is amazing that there are so many people that know all about John 3:16 and they know the whole “plan of salvation” and yet they have absolutely no conviction in their hearts that should come as a result of all that knowledge in their heads.
application
Lots of people that we encounter will know all about Jesus and the plan of salvation, they need to see that they need what Jesus has to offer. The main thing that he has to offer is forgiveness and redemption for our sins. If they don’t feel that they are guilty of rebellion against God then all of their knowledge of him will not matter.
prayer
I pray Lord that all the people that I work with everyday will take their head knowledge about you and set it aside and see that they will come to know that they are in great need of forgiveness. They know so much about you but it doesn’t matter to them at all.
