John 1:19-23 Who and What Voice Are You?

John 1:19-23

19 This is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny; and this is what he confessed: “I am not the Christ.” 21 And so they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Make the way of the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.

On the day I was getting baptized, I told my mother; I think God wants me to be a pastor, she only replied, that sounds lovely son. Sometimes I would ask others, and a seminary student answered me once, saying that it is an excellent possibility, if I ask questions like that. Sometimes I am asked if I am a preacher or a prophet, I always reply saying no, I am not. Often, I will hear unpleasant words that I am a hypocrite or self-righteous and judgmental. I feel unworthy of the gift of teaching God’s word because I feel very sinful. John the Baptist knew scripture very well, and he completely surrendered himself to the Holy Spirit. The more of God’s word you learn, and if you eat it like eating real bread, the more His Spirit dwells within you. John the Baptist was drawing many followers of God to him, and he was preaching in the wilderness, not the holy temple in Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders went to ask who John was. They knew God’s word too, but God’s spirit did not dwell within them. John the Baptist life and ministry is only in minor detail in the gospel of John but is in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance; 9 and do not assume that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you that God is able, from these stones, to raise up children for Abraham. 10 And the ax is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit is being cut down and thrown into the fire.

The Pharisees and Sadducees all believe they have salvation because they could trace back to Father Abraham, but they still had sinful bodies that go back to Adam and Eve. Salvation was and is not based on who our father and mother are. John the Baptist was teaching the truth of God’s word, and he did not dress holy or even look divine, and he had no sacred temple walls to preach inside of it. God looks at what you treasure in your heart, and if you love God, your heart will produce good behavior, like a healthy fruit tree has tasty apples or oranges. Either you are like John the Baptist, teaching that people should receive repentance and give their life to God, or you are like those who seek direction and guidance, asking, how can I have the Spirit of God in me. If your life feels like you live meaningless in the wilderness, ask me to pray for you and help you. God bless you all, the Lord Jesus loves you, and so do I, His bondservant Samuel J H.

Isaiah 52:6 Therefore, My people shall know My name; therefore, on that day I am the one who is speaking, ‘Here I am.’” 7 How delightful on the mountains Are the feet of one who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!

Romans 10:14 How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? 15 But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”