What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women … More More than a prophet
Why did John the Baptist send message to Jesus asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” J. C. Ryle comments at Grace Gems: This question did not arise from doubt or unbelief on the part of John. We do that holy man injustice, if we interpret it … More J.C. Ryle: John sent his followers to “hear and see” for themselves
John 3:28-30 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, … More The Attention Is Going to Jesus
From John Piper’s series on the Gospel of John: John the Baptist appears at the beginning of John’s Gospel (and the other Gospels) and then falls to the background because he is a link or a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. He is prominent at the beginning of the Gospel because … More John’s Job- Make Sure Jesus is seen as UTTERLY AMAZING!
John Piper, in a sermon, “The Baptism and the Genealogy of Jesus” says in his introduction: You can learn more from a book if you stop and ask it questions than if you just read it passively. That includes the Bible too. One of the great problems in Bible reading is that we move our eyes over … More Ask questions when you read the Bible!
John Piper, in a sermon, “John the Baptist and the Brood of Vipers”- This is the meaning of repentance: a turning of the direction of our life and the affections of our heart, so that we become oriented on God and love the things he loves. John promises the people “forgiveness of sins” in response … More The Issue is Repentance
Luke 1:57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but … More The Ripple Effects of Mercy
John Piper, in a sermon, “How Not to Talk to an Angel” Luke is the only gospel writer who recounts the foretelling and birth of John the Baptist. He begins in 1:5–25 with the announcement of John’s birth to Zechariah, his father. Then in 1:26–38 comes the announcement of Jesus’ birth to Mary his mother. … More Luke 1: A Lesson in “Compare and Contrast”
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 