Pointing to Christ: The Humble Witness of John

In John 1:19-34, we encounter the testimony of John the Baptist, a man whose entire life and ministry were designed to point away from himself and toward Jesus Christ. When questioned by the religious leaders about his identity, John repeatedly denied being the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet. Instead, he described himself simply as “the voice of one crying in the wilderness,” echoing Isaiah’s prophecy. John’s humility is striking—he doesn’t even give his name, but instead focuses on his role as a messenger preparing the way for the Lord.

John’s ministry took place in the wilderness, a place of want and need, symbolizing the spiritual barrenness of the people. His call to repentance and his act of baptizing were not about drawing attention to himself, but about preparing hearts for the coming of Jesus. Even when pressed about his authority to baptize, John deflected attention from himself, declaring that the one who comes after him is so great that he is unworthy even to untie his sandals—a task reserved for the lowest servant.

The heart of John’s witness is revealed when he sees Jesus and proclaims, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This declaration points to the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, where a spotless lamb was offered for the sins of the people. John identifies Jesus as the ultimate and final sacrifice, the one who fulfills what all those sacrifices pointed toward. John’s purpose, repeated throughout the passage, is to bear witness to Jesus as the Son of God, the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

This passage also raises the question of identity—a question as relevant today as it was then. John’s sense of self was entirely wrapped up in his mission to point others to Christ. In a world obsessed with self-definition and personal significance, John’s example challenges us to find our identity not in ourselves, but in our relationship to Jesus and our calling to make him known. We are created in God’s image, made for relationship with him, and redeemed by the Lamb of God. Our lives, like John’s, are meant to be arrows pointing to Christ, the only one who can truly give life and hope.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True significance is found not in self-promotion, but in pointing others to Jesus. John the Baptist’s refusal to claim any title or importance for himself, even when pressed, reveals a humility that is rare and powerful. Our greatest impact comes when we make much of Christ and little of ourselves, allowing our lives to serve as signposts to his glory. [49:05]
• 2. The wilderness setting of John’s ministry is a vivid reminder that spiritual hunger and need are prerequisites for encountering Christ. Just as the desert is a place of want, so too must our hearts recognize their emptiness apart from Jesus, the living water and bread of life. Only in acknowledging our need can we truly receive what Christ offers. [50:16]
• 3. The question of “Who are you?” is ultimately answered not by looking inward, but by looking to God’s design and redemption. Our culture urges us to define ourselves by our desires, achievements, or failures, but Scripture teaches that our identity is rooted in being created by God, marred by sin, and restored through Christ. This truth liberates us from the endless search for self and anchors us in God’s unchanging love. [68:24]
• 4. John’s declaration of Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” is a profound statement about the seriousness of sin and the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. Sin cannot be ignored or excused; it demands a payment. Jesus alone is able to bear that burden, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to all who trust in him. [59:55]
• 5. The calling to be a witness is not reserved for a select few, but is the purpose of every believer. Like John, our words, actions, and very lives are meant to direct attention away from ourselves and toward Jesus. In a world desperate for hope and meaning, our faithful testimony to Christ is both our privilege and our responsibility. [67:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [30:04] - Reading John 1:19-34
• [32:37] - Paul Revere and the Power of Pointing
• [36:13] - The Main Character: Jesus in John’s Gospel
• [38:42] - Who Was John the Baptist?
• [40:41] - John’s Background and Ministry
• [42:34] - The Interrogation: Who Are You?
• [44:41] - Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet?
• [47:43] - John’s Identity: The Voice in the Wilderness
• [49:05] - The Message, Not the Messenger
• [50:16] - The Wilderness and Spiritual Need
• [51:17] - The Question of Baptism and Authority
• [54:27] - John’s Baptism and Its Meaning
• [55:52] - Humility and Pointing to Christ
• [58:51] - Behold the Lamb of God
• [59:55] - The Sacrifice for Sin
• [62:43] - The Spirit Descends and the True Witness
• [64:26] - The Purpose of Testimony
• [67:16] - Our Role: Pointing to Jesus
• [68:24] - The Question of Identity
• [69:46] - Created, Fallen, and Redeemed
• [70:48] - Living as Arrows Pointing to Christ
• [71:53] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

John 1:19-34 (ESV) — > And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” ... The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ... And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

Observation Questions

1. When the religious leaders questioned John the Baptist about his identity, what titles did they suggest he might claim, and how did he respond to each? ([42:34])
2. How does John describe himself and his role when pressed for an answer about who he is? ([47:43])
3. What does John say about Jesus when he sees him coming toward him? What title does he use for Jesus? ([58:51])
4. According to the passage, what sign did John witness that confirmed Jesus’ identity to him? ([01:02:43])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think John the Baptist refused to claim any important title for himself, even when the religious leaders seemed to expect it? What does this reveal about his character and mission? ([49:05])
2. The setting of John’s ministry was the wilderness. What might the wilderness symbolize about the spiritual state of the people, and why is this significant for understanding John’s message? ([50:16])
3. John calls Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” What is the significance of this title, especially in light of Old Testament sacrificial practices? ([59:55])
4. The question “Who are you?” is asked of John, but the sermon suggests it’s a question for us too. According to the sermon, how should Christians answer this question about their own identity? ([01:08:24])

Application Questions

1. John the Baptist’s humility is shown in how he points away from himself and toward Jesus. In what areas of your life are you tempted to draw attention to yourself rather than to Christ? What would it look like to “make much of Christ and little of ourselves” this week? ([49:05])
2. The wilderness is described as a place of want and need, symbolizing spiritual emptiness. Are there areas in your life right now that feel like a spiritual wilderness? How might acknowledging your need for Jesus open you up to what he wants to do in your life? ([50:16])
3. Our culture often tells us to define ourselves by our achievements, desires, or failures. What are some ways you have tried to find your identity apart from Christ? How does rooting your identity in being created and redeemed by God change your perspective? ([01:08:24])
4. John’s declaration about Jesus as the Lamb of God highlights the seriousness of sin and the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. Are there sins in your life that you tend to minimize or excuse? What would it look like to bring those honestly before Jesus, trusting in his forgiveness? ([59:55])
5. The sermon says that every believer is called to be a witness, not just a select few. What are some practical ways you can point others to Jesus in your words, actions, or attitudes this week? ([01:07:16])
6. John’s life was like an arrow pointing to Christ. Who in your life needs to see or hear about Jesus through you? What is one step you can take this week to intentionally point them toward him? ([01:07:16])
7. When you think about the question “Who are you?”, what would it look like for your answer to be shaped more by your relationship with Jesus than by your job, family, or accomplishments? ([01:08:24])