The Gospel of John 1:24-25 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?” (John 1:24-25 KJV)

Shifting their attention to the baptism that John was performing, in the minds of these men, a person baptizing others ought to have some kind of 'priestly office' like them, or prophetic authority. But, John the Baptist says he is not the long-awaited Messiah. He is not Elijah, who many believed would physically come back in order to tell others about the Promised One. He's neither the prophet which Moses promised in Deuteronomy 18:18. John the Baptist hasn't made any claims to authority. In fact, he's made it plain that his mission is to make a path for someone else. Hence, they resorted to asking John the Baptist, "Who do you think you are?" In John 1:21, John the Baptist ignored questions about himself, and focused on the coming Messiah. On the same manner, we ourselves by faith ought to look to Him, the Messiah, who is Christ Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

These emissaries, who confronted John the Baptist, were from the party of the Pharisees. They're the embodiment of religious hypocrisy. They composed the Sanhedrin who mocked, tried and condemned the Lord to death. Sadly, their doctrines are perpetuated by many religions of the day, drawing many away from the truth of God's holy and written Words with their pagan based teachings using the name of Christ Jesus in vain. The Lord Jesus warned us about them in Matthew 24:24. Apostle Peter warns that: "In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories (2 Peter 2:3a).

Here's what these religious people did, it is written: “But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”” (Matthew 26:63-68 NIV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

(When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.)

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