StoneBridge Community Church
Guest Preacher Rev. Courtney Ellis
In the "Divine Appointments" sermon series, Jesus' interactions with different characters in the Gospel of John will be examined, so that we can recognize how Jesus interacts with us in our lives.
John 1:6-9 NRSV
John the Baptist in the Gospels
Though we tend to conflate the four gospels, they actually have different presentations of John the Baptist. For instance, in the Gospel of Luke, John the Baptist preaches much more directly to the crowd than in the other gospels. Therefore, more is learned about John's message in the Gospel of Luke. In the Gospel of Matthew, we learn more about Jesus' direct interaction with John the Baptist. For example, when John insisted that Jesus should be baptizing him and not the other way around. And in Mark, we get the clearest glimpse of just how counter-cultural John was in his clothing and demeanor.
The Gospel of John, though, is particularly unique. In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist is actually, more accurately described as, "John the Witness." His primary role isn't as the Baptizer of Jesus. Instead, John points to Jesus as the lamb of God. John the Witness takes whatever authority he has and uses it to testify to Jesus' authority. By doing so, John serves as a model for each and every disciple of Jesus.
As Jesus' disciples, we are to be witnesses to him. Our lives should point to him so that others may know who he is. In what ways does your life point to Jesus?
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever been asked to be a personal reference for someone? Or, have you ever be called as a witness in a court case or deposition? If so, what was the experience like? Was it comfortable or uncomfortable? Easy or difficult? Why or why not?
2. Though Mathew, Mark and Luke all narrate John baptizing Jesus, the Gospel of John doesn't show us John baptizing Jesus, only that John saw the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus. Why do you think the Gospel of John left out the story of John baptizing Jesus?
3. In what ways and to whom does your life already witness to Jesus?
4. In what ways and to whom could you more clearly witness to Jesus in your life?
QUESTIONS FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
1. What does a "witness" do? What does it mean to "witness" something?
2. Can you think of and describe a time when someone convinced you of something?
3. How can you help be a witness to Jesus and convince other people that God loves them?
