The Incarnation of Christ

John 1:15–23
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The Christian life is the constant reception of one evidence of God’s grace replacing another (v. 16). John the Baptist had the task of preparing the Jewish nation to receive their Messiah. He was bold in calling them to repent of their sins and to live a changed life. The law was truth but it was truth without grace (v.17). We are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-9), and we also live by grace (I Cor. 15:10). Jesus Christ reveals God to us (v. 18). Jesus’s claim to be the Son of God is what aroused the Jews to persecute Him (10:30-36). 

The Sanhedrin was alarmed at the ministry of John the Baptist, so they sent a delegation of theologians to question him. Their first question was, “Who art thou?” (v. 19). His answer was short and simple; “I am not the Christ” (v.20). Then they asked him; “Art thou Elias (Elijah)?” (v. 21). The prophet Elijah was expected because of Deuteronomy 18:15. John stated that he was not any of the expected prophetic figures. He explained, however that his ministry was described in the Old Testament. (Isaiah 40:3) and that he was a fulfillment of that prophecy. The Pharisees then asked, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself” (v. 22)? 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” (v. 23)! 

Application

John the Baptist was bold in his witness for Christ as he asked the people to repent of their sin and prove they had by living a changed life. I need to be bold in my preaching and witnessing for Christ. This will never happen unless I ask the Lord to give me His boldness.