John 1:19-34
Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts
S – What verse stands out to me today?
O – What is God revealing about Jesus?
A – How should this change my life today?
P – What is my prayer in response?
Scripture
John 1:19-34 (LEB) “19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem so that they could ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed—and he did not deny, and confessed—“I am not the Christ!” 21 And they asked him, “Then who are you? 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, so that we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ just as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 (And they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 And 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 with water. In your midst stands one whom you do not know—27 the one who comes after me, of whom I am not worthy ⌊to untie⌋ the strap of his sandal!” 28 These things took place in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 On the next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This one is the one about whom I said, ‘After me is coming a man who is ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ 31 And I did not know him, but in order that he could be revealed to Israel, because of this I came baptizing with water.” 32 And John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and remaining upon him. 33 And I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water, that one said to me, ‘The one upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him—this one is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testify that this one is the Chosen One of God.”
Observation
• I notice that there is a dialogue between John and some religious leaders. These priests and Levites we sent from Jerusalem to ask questions of John.
• They are trying to discern who John is exactly. The options presented are that John is either the Christ, Elijah, or a prophet.
• Additionally, they are specifically concerned that he is baptizing people, which (if he isn’t one of the three options) would be unauthorized behavior. The term "baptize" is repeated 6x.
• John explains to them that he is preparing the way for the one to come. I notice he uses an Old Testament reference from Isaiah 40:3.
• In verse 29, we see John do exactly what he came to do. He sees Jesus and proclaims, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” We see the language of testimony repeated.
• We see the introduction of the Spirit starting in verse 32. The Spirit is mentioned 3x.
• I notice the term “one” is repeated 6x, with the sixth “one” being a clear testimony of who Jesus is, “The Chosen One of God.”
Application
• It is my job to testify to the world about the Lamb of God.
• I desire the Spirit of God to descend and rest on me so that I may testify in power on behalf of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit, who gives me the power each day to testify about God’s Son. Fill me again today with your presence and power that I may honor you with my life-testimony. May I represent you well today. Help me to share my faith and testimony with every person whom You have divinely assigned to me. In Jesus' name, Amen!
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