Scripture to Read: John 1:24–26
God shows us that those who had been sent to question John the Baptist had been sent by the Pharisees. We read in John 1:24–26, “Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, ‘Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?’ 26 John answered them saying, ‘I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.’” John the Baptist clarified that he was baptizing everyone in water. This was so important because in John the Baptist’s day, the only ones who were usually baptized were Gentiles who were converting to Judaism, but John the Baptist was baptizing Jews. So, for Jews to be baptized was incredibly humbling for them, but it was also a sign of their true repentance. Knowing this about baptism gives us a clear picture of why the Pharisees had such a problem with John the Baptist baptizing Jews. The Pharisees considered John the Baptist as one with no authority, which is why they wanted to know why he was baptizing. But God had called John the Baptist (as we see recorded in Luke 1:76–77), as John the Baptist’s father, Zacharias, prophesied about his son, saying, “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.” God anointed John the Baptist as Christ’s forerunner; therefore, John the Baptist needed no one else’s approval.
Challenge & Application
• What qualifies us, as Christians, to share the Gospel of Christ with those around us?
• How are you guarding against seeking the approval of men (Galatians 1:10) and resting in God’s call (Ephesians 2:10)?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!