A MAN NAMED JOHN
Monday – September 3, 2018, Elul 23, 5778
I am so thankful to God that you take the time to come to this Bible Study and give the Word of the Lord first place in your life. The Lord is so good to all who diligently seek after Him. As you know we have finished an extensive, not exhaustive, study of the Book of Hebrews and now I have launched in the wonderful Book of John. As we prepare to read our primary text aloud recall that John the writer of this Book is not the same John mention in verse six below.
John 1:6-11 (KJV)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
I am sure we all understand that John, John the Baptist, was not sent from Heaven into the earth to bear witness of the Light. John the Baptist was chosen from before the womb of his mother to be that man, the one to bear witness and announce the coming, the very arrival of the Messiah.
Malachi 3:1 (KJV)
1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
I believe it will be useful for us to review a little bit about the coming of John the Baptist. The account and Scriptures I will review today are from the Book of Luke. Both of the parents of John the Baptist are of the tribe of Levi and thus John the Baptist himself would be a Levi, a Levitical Priest. Remember that a priest stands between man and God in matters related to that relationship. They are the one’s who offer the sacrifice on Passover, the various sin offerings, and on the Day of Atonement. Jesus is not only our Messiah, our innocent perfect sacrificial Lamb who took our sins like they never existed setting all things right (Jubilee) and is now our High Priest at the right hand of the Father and before the Father. The government of Rome (Gentiles) facilitated the actual crucifixion of Christ at the demand of the High Priests of Israel and the Sanhedrin (Jewish religious ruling body). Christ died at the hands of and for Jew and Gentile alike. Jesus the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.
Matthew 27:17-20 (KJV)
17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
Now, Jesus our High Priest.
Hebrews 10:19-21 (KJV)
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Just like others in Scripture including Jesus the birth of John was announced by an angel and his purpose was given as well. The following Scripture is an excerpt of the exchange between Zacharias and the angel Gabriel (Gabriel speaking).
Luke 1:17 (KJV)
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
John the Baptist was a forerunner, one who prepared the way, for Jesus just as Elijah prepared the way for Elisha (also a type and shadow of Christ and the Church). Christ Jesus prepared the way for the Church and now the Church is preparing the way for the return of Christ Jesus. Isn’t this just wonderful. Lord willing, I will pick up right here tomorrow.
PRAYERS AND QUESTIONS – please, anytime you have an issue that you want me, this ministry to pray for you, a person you love or a situation contact me. Accordingly, if you should have a question about the Bible, please do not hesitate to ask it.
Until our next publication, I speak this Scriptural prayer for your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Ephesians 3:14-17 (KJV)
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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