Christ Revealed to John by the Father - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
John 1:32-34

Christ Revealed to John by the Father
Although there is far greater witness to the greatness and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, John's witness is perfectly true and should be seriously considered by all who hear it. Before his birth, John had been chosen by God to be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus, thus introducing his Lord to the children of Israel. John's mother, Elizabeth, was closely related to Mary, the mother of Jesus, yet John says of the Lord Jesus, "I did not know Him." This tells us that John had no understanding of the glory of the Lord Jesus as the Son of God, and he depended entirely on the revelation of God the Father to him. So also, it is impossible for anyone to know the Son of God except by a revelation from the Father, as Matthew 11:27 tells us: "Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."

The Father had told John that the One on whom the Spirit would come and remain was the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This took place at the time when John baptized the Lord Jesus and heard the voice of the Father from heaven saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Mt. 3:17). Could any doubt remain in John's mind that the Lord Jesus is Himself the God of heaven and earth? Certainly not!

Sadly, John's witness was refused. But the Lord Himself was just as coldly rejected when coming in such tender love and kindness. Yet, thankfully, the message of His grace has continued to be proclaimed long after His crucifixion and resurrection. Wonderful love indeed!

L. M. Grant