Series JESUS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN with Pastor Mark Finley |
Lesson 6.More Testimonies About Jesus |
Recognizing More About Jesus |
In Lesson 6, the image of Jesus as the Messiah is deepened through various testimonies. John the Baptist, the Father in Heaven, the crowd, and even the Pharisees themselves play an important role in clarifying Jesus’ identity and mission. John presents Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sin of the world and emphasizes that Jesus must be above him. Jesus reveals Himself as the source of life and salvation, even though His words are not understood or accepted by everyone. The Father confirms Jesus’ sonship, and the reactions of the crowd show both enthusiasm and rejection, giving us a more comprehensive insight into Jesus’ mission.
Memory Text: John 12:32 – “‘And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself’.”
Content:
6.1 Humility of Soul: John the Baptist Testifies Again
John the Baptist – Humility and Testimony in the Greatness of Christ
John the Baptist demonstrates extraordinary inner humility in this passage by willingly placing his position behind Jesus and acknowledging Him as the true Savior. He sees himself as the “friend of the bridegroom” rather than the main person, highlighting his role: to prepare the way for Jesus. The words “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30) reflect a deep dedication to God’s plan and a willingness to set aside personal significance. While some of his disciples are jealous of Jesus, John remains clear in his mission and calls on his followers to recognize Jesus’ greatness as well. John teaches us the value of humility—a posture that honors God and leads others to faith. His willingness to stand in the shadows illustrates the character of true greatness and spiritual growth.
6.2 A New Understanding of the Messiah
“The Lamb of God” – An Unexpected Image of the Messiah
John the Baptist describes Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” which was surprising to many Jews who expected a powerful liberator from the Roman yoke, not a suffering Messiah. The image of the lamb referred to a sacrifice offered for the forgiveness of sins—a role that Jesus willingly accepted. Through this designation, John directs attention to a deeper meaning of the Messiah: not as a political liberator but as a Savior who makes the ultimate sacrifice. God’s revelation to John through the sign of the Spirit helped him recognize that Jesus is the promised Savior who will transform the world through love and sacrifice, not through power. John’s words call us to explore the Bible as the source of this truth and to understand more deeply how Jesus invites us into His saving work.
6.3 Acceptance and Rejection
“The Bread of Life” – Jesus’ Call to Deeper Commitment
People wanted to make Jesus their king when He fed them with bread, but they turned away when He revealed Himself as the “Bread of Life” and spoke of His sacrifice. Jesus’ explanation that His flesh and blood are necessary for eternal life was a challenge that many could not accept. This made it clear that they were seeking the Messiah as a political liberator, not as a spiritual Savior. Only the disciples, led by Peter’s confession, recognized Him as the Holy God whose words convey eternal life. Jesus shows us here that true discipleship means not only appreciating the visible miracles but also understanding the deeper meaning of His message. This event reminds us that God’s ways may often be unpopular or misunderstood, but they lead to true spiritual life.
6.4 The Witness of the Father
God’s Confirmation of His Son
Throughout His ministry, Jesus receives visible and audible testimony from the Father. From the beginning of His service at the baptism to the impending crucifixion, the Father publicly confirms that Jesus is His beloved Son. This is particularly evident at the moment when Jesus asks the Father to glorify His name; God responds from heaven, deeply moving those present. Through this testimony, the Father emphasizes the significance and the upcoming sacrifice of Jesus, who, as the “Lamb of God,” takes on the sin of the world. God’s voice makes it clear that Jesus’ mission to save and redeem humanity is both intended and fulfilled. This heavenly testimony strengthens people’s faith in Jesus as the ultimate connection between God and humanity.
6.5 The Witness of the Crowd
Divided Belief and Questions About Jesus’ Origin
When Jesus spoke to the people on the last day of the festival, many were deeply touched by His message about “living water,” and the reactions to Him were varied and remarkable. Some in the crowd believed He was the prophet or even the Messiah, while others remained skeptical because of His origin, seeing Him as a Galilean and not knowing that He was actually born in Bethlehem. Even the officials sent to arrest Jesus were overwhelmed by His words and could not carry out their mission. In this discussion, Nicodemus appears as an advocate for Jesus, standing for justice and raising the question of whether one can condemn Him without listening to Him. This suggests that Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee, might have come to believe in Jesus. The leaders’ contempt for the crowd shows that true understanding and faith often do not reside in positions of power but in an open, seeking attitude.
6.6 Summary
Revelations of the Messiah
Lesson 6 highlights additional testimonies about Jesus that clarify both His nature and His mission. John the Baptist emphatically points to Jesus as the “Lamb of God” and emphasizes the humility that characterizes His role as the forerunner. Jesus reveals Himself as the “Bread of Life” and the source of “living water,” which resonates with many in the crowd, while others react with confusion because Jesus does not meet their expectations of the Messiah. God Himself testifies for Jesus and confirms His divine sonship. Through the diverse reactions of people, ranging from deep enthusiasm to outright rejection, we recognize how Jesus opens new horizons with His ministry and broadens the image of the expected Messiah.
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