Lesson 4468

 (Lesson 4468)(04-27-24) John 1:25-28 

“And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.” 

 

In today’s quote, the conversation continued as the Jewish religious leaders from Jerusalem confronted John the Baptist, questioning his authority to preach and perform baptisms given that he had denied being the Christ, Elijah, or the prophet. John clarified the nature of his baptism, emphasizing its symbolic purpose as a call to repentance and preparation. He contrasted his own baptism with water to the profound, transformative baptism that will be administered by the One (Jesus) who is to come after him—a baptism that will not only cleanse the exterior but will renew souls and bring the Holy Spirit. John humbly acknowledged his subordinate role by stating that he is not even worthy to handle the shoes of the coming Messiah. This exchange took place in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was faithfully carrying out his mission, paving the way for Jesus, the Messiah, who would bring a deeper, spiritual salvation through the baptism of the spirit He would perform.~