7029 - Voice In Desert - John 1:21-23

Our study today continues to consider the delegation from the Jewish leaders who were sent to find out about John the Baptist.

In our last study John the Baptist boldly told the delegation that he was not the Christ – the promised One who is announced in many Old Testament prophetic messages.

That answer from John did not completely satisfy their mission so they continue their inquiry. That’s our focus today.

Let me read John 1, verses 21 through 23:

“They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’”

It is noticeable that these inquiring men were familiar with several Old Testament prophecies for which Israel was looking to be fulfilled.

One of these had to do with Elijah. Elijah was the first prophet in Israel who came on the scene about 56 years after the northern kingdom, called Israel, split away from Judah, the southern portion. Perhaps he is best known for his conflict with King Ahab and the idolatrous people of Israel on Mount Carmel. Through Elijah, God’s name was greatly exalted before Israel and His power was shown in mighty ways. All the prophets of Baal were put to death.

This offended Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, and she said she would have Elijah killed. He fled to Mount Horeb to escape death.

In another conflict, King Ahaziah sent separate companies of soldiers to capture Elijah in three different episodes. Twice Elijah called down fire from heaven which consumed two of the companies of men. The third captain was humble and pled for his life and the life of his men, and all were spared.

Elijah left an impressive record in Israel’s history.

Perhaps the reason for Israel’s interest in Elijah’s return is founded on a prophesy made by Malachi (4:5) which talks about God sending the prophet Elijah back to Israel before that great and dreadful day of the Lord’s return. So there was a general anticipation among the Jews in Jesus’ days that Elijah would appear again on earth before the Messiah would come. This is the probable cause of this question from the delegation.

The next inquiry posed by these men was: “Are you the prophet?” Someone might ask, “Which prophet?” The answer to that question is the prediction found in Deuteronomy (18:15) as Moses spoke to the people regarding the Law. He said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” This prophesy was familiar to the people of Jesus’ day. They were looking for the fulfillment of this promise.

The question at hand was: “Are you that prophet?” Again John the Baptist’s answer was, “No!”

The insistence of the delegation ultimately brought an answer from John the Baptist It was not a proud answer, but a humble, factual answer from Scripture. The Lord gave him words from the book of Isaiah, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord (40:3).’” These are truly modest, humble words. As we contemplate his background and life we should realize that he was God’s chosen man to pave the way for Jesus. He was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, and he was sent to go before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

From our study in John thus far, we conclude that there was a restless anticipation that the Messiah was coming to earth one day. It seems the great desire of the leaders was that Messiah would return and set Israel free from the Romans. They do not evidence much spiritual hunger.

God had higher purposes in mind. His purpose was to break Satan’s power and set the people loose from sin’s domination. We praise God for his great outpouring of grace upon the people of the world through Jesus Christ, His Son.