1 00:00:09,510 --> 00:00:15,900 Welcome to Moore in the Word, a podcast of Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia that seeks 2 00:00:15,900 --> 00:00:21,960 to glorify God through biblically sound, thought- provoking and challenging talks and interviews. 3 00:00:22,259 --> 00:00:29,490 In this episode from a chapel service held on Friday the 28th of March 2025, Mark Thompson, principal 4 00:00:29,490 --> 00:00:37,470 of Moore Theological College, speaks on John 1:19-34, and the message and mission of John the Baptist. 5 00:00:38,675 --> 00:00:45,185 He reminds us that just like the Israelites of John the Baptist's day, we need to hear, heed and 6 00:00:45,185 --> 00:00:50,645 even highlight John's testimony, for only this Lamb of God can take away the sin of the world. 7 00:00:51,425 --> 00:00:53,095 We hope you find the episode helpful. 8 00:01:01,020 --> 00:01:01,550 Good morning. 9 00:01:03,220 --> 00:01:04,115 It's good to see you. 10 00:01:04,115 --> 00:01:07,795 I'm going to pray that the Lord would give me the strength to finish this. 11 00:01:07,795 --> 00:01:13,074 I woke up this morning coughing like some of you, uh, which is not good because 12 00:01:13,074 --> 00:01:16,015 I'm going on a plane straight after this to preach tonight in Melbourne. 13 00:01:16,585 --> 00:01:22,585 So, um, uh, we might pray if you don't mind, that the Lord would strengthen me to do that, but also enable each one of us to listen. 14 00:01:24,675 --> 00:01:29,565 Heavenly Father, we thank you for your great kindness to us in giving us your word so 15 00:01:29,565 --> 00:01:35,685 that we might know what you have done, what your purposes are, and how we fit in them. 16 00:01:36,525 --> 00:01:39,795 And this morning we pray that you would help us to hear your voice. 17 00:01:40,455 --> 00:01:48,315 Please strengthen me to speak your word in the way you want me to, and help us to listen in the way you want us to. 18 00:01:49,275 --> 00:01:50,955 And this I ask in Jesus name. 19 00:01:51,915 --> 00:01:52,545 Amen. 20 00:01:54,600 --> 00:02:02,250 Well, it's only just, uh, five months ago that Australia welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla, uh, on an official visit. 21 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:07,980 To be honest, as I'm sure those of you who were here at the time will testify. 22 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:14,645 Um, it didn't really interrupt life in Sydney too much, as most of know. 23 00:02:14,670 --> 00:02:23,310 The king and queen attended church on Sunday the 20th of October, and then were whisked away to a variety of, uh, places in Sydney. 24 00:02:23,310 --> 00:02:29,430 I. Before, later that week, moving on to the next stop on the tour, there were the inevitable protestors. 25 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,930 Uh, not as many as there would've been if they had attended the cathedral as first 26 00:02:33,930 --> 00:02:39,780 planned, but they were kept under control and everything went quite smoothly in the end. 27 00:02:41,370 --> 00:02:45,210 But for those closer to it, there was much more involved. 28 00:02:46,215 --> 00:02:49,815 Security officers swept the church before the service. 29 00:02:50,385 --> 00:03:00,015 Hefty men in suits with earpieces in their ears, mingling in the crowd, and not too inconspicuously, taking up their stations at various points in 30 00:03:00,015 --> 00:03:09,405 the building, helicopters flying overhead protocol officers, making clear to all and sundry what could be done and what must definitely not be done. 31 00:03:10,410 --> 00:03:16,290 From the outside, the events of the tour, including attending church that day looked very smooth, 32 00:03:17,220 --> 00:03:26,820 uneventful, even easy, but the preparation that had gone on to ensure it all went that way was intense. 33 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:33,600 This was the head of state after all the King of Australia here among us, and it was a very big deal. 34 00:03:34,590 --> 00:03:36,810 And some of you'll know that far better than I do. 35 00:03:38,115 --> 00:03:41,234 For the king didn't just slip in through the back door. 36 00:03:42,435 --> 00:03:43,935 He was not incognito. 37 00:03:44,984 --> 00:03:47,115 The way was smoothed for him. 38 00:03:47,835 --> 00:03:51,855 Everything was calculated to focus attention on him. 39 00:03:52,695 --> 00:04:00,825 A great deal of effort was expended and that visit had only been put in the king and queen's diary almost a year before. 40 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:09,690 Whether you are a monarchist or a Republican, you were forced to conclude that day that someone at least thought they were special. 41 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:18,300 As we return to John's Gospel this morning, we're caught up in preparation for a very different royal 42 00:04:18,300 --> 00:04:26,850 visit, but as we saw last time, the scale is so huge, the significance of this arrival so immense. 43 00:04:27,945 --> 00:04:35,085 That we can't escape the conclusion that we must pay careful attention to the one who's come long 44 00:04:35,085 --> 00:04:44,685 planned, long promised, and the preparation at least centered not so much on a man as on a voice. 45 00:04:46,395 --> 00:04:49,785 Take a look with me at John chapter one from verse 19. 46 00:04:50,445 --> 00:04:56,895 Actually, let's start by including the references to John in the first part of the chapter that we looked at last time. 47 00:04:57,480 --> 00:04:58,200 Verse six. 48 00:04:58,860 --> 00:05:01,590 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 49 00:05:02,340 --> 00:05:08,640 He came as a witness in order to testify concerning the light in order that all might believe through him. 50 00:05:08,700 --> 00:05:12,840 He was not the light, but he came so that he might bear witness concerning the 51 00:05:12,840 --> 00:05:19,650 light, the true light, which enlightens all humankind was coming into the world. 52 00:05:20,730 --> 00:05:26,430 And verse 15, John testified concerning him and cried out saying, he was the one 53 00:05:26,430 --> 00:05:31,680 of whom I said, the one coming after me was before me because he is superior to me. 54 00:05:32,970 --> 00:05:39,180 So at last verse 19, and this is the testimony of John, when the Jews of 55 00:05:39,180 --> 00:05:44,670 Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, who are you, he confessed. 56 00:05:44,670 --> 00:05:47,010 He did not deny, but confessed. 57 00:05:47,370 --> 00:05:49,020 I am not the Christ. 58 00:05:50,010 --> 00:05:52,830 They asked him, who then are you, Elijah? 59 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:54,900 He said, I am not. 60 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:57,420 Are you the prophet? 61 00:05:58,020 --> 00:05:59,070 And he answered, no. 62 00:06:00,180 --> 00:06:01,710 They said to him, who are you? 63 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:04,200 So that we might give an answer to those who sent us. 64 00:06:04,410 --> 00:06:06,570 What do you say concerning yourself? 65 00:06:07,770 --> 00:06:12,480 He said, I am a voice crying in the wilderness. 66 00:06:12,990 --> 00:06:15,060 Make straight the way of the Lord. 67 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,010 Just as the prophet Isaiah said. 68 00:06:18,585 --> 00:06:20,775 And those sent were from the Pharisees. 69 00:06:20,775 --> 00:06:27,765 They questioned him and said to him, why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ nor Elijah, nor the prophet? 70 00:06:28,995 --> 00:06:29,955 John answered them. 71 00:06:30,705 --> 00:06:32,685 I baptize in water. 72 00:06:33,375 --> 00:06:37,425 In your mid stands one you do not know the one who comes after me. 73 00:06:37,425 --> 00:06:40,305 I'm not worthy of untying the sandal on his feet. 74 00:06:41,745 --> 00:06:44,985 This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 75 00:06:45,870 --> 00:06:53,790 The next day, he saw Jesus coming towards him and he said, behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 76 00:06:55,260 --> 00:06:56,550 This is the one about whom. 77 00:06:56,550 --> 00:07:06,780 I said, the man who comes after me was before me because he's superior to me and I did not know him, but in order that he might be manifest to Israel. 78 00:07:06,780 --> 00:07:08,400 I came baptizing in water. 79 00:07:09,165 --> 00:07:15,705 And John Bo witness saying, I saw the spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. 80 00:07:16,695 --> 00:07:22,995 I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize in water said to me, he upon whom you 81 00:07:22,995 --> 00:07:29,085 see the spirit descending and remaining, he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. 82 00:07:30,255 --> 00:07:35,865 And I have seen, and I've testified that this is the son of God. 83 00:07:38,550 --> 00:07:42,419 This morning, I want to draw your attention to just three things in this passage. 84 00:07:42,419 --> 00:07:44,490 There's so much else, but just three things. 85 00:07:44,490 --> 00:07:53,760 And as these things build up a picture of what was happening just then around, um, AD 29, you'll hear something that in just 86 00:07:53,760 --> 00:08:02,280 one sentence seems to sum up the whole Bible and is quite simply the most wonderful thing you or anyone else will ever hear. 87 00:08:03,750 --> 00:08:06,659 So let's start with shocking behavior in the desert. 88 00:08:08,310 --> 00:08:16,260 We had to get quite a bit of a way through this section before we discover what this man John was doing out across the Jordan near Bethany. 89 00:08:17,489 --> 00:08:21,989 We know from the very first reference to him in verses six and seven, that he came as a witness to 90 00:08:21,989 --> 00:08:29,099 testify to the light, but the precise way that he was doing that is not known until we get to verse 25. 91 00:08:29,970 --> 00:08:36,810 The Pharisees who had been questioning him in their exasperation, take their grilling one step 92 00:08:36,810 --> 00:08:43,770 further, then why are you baptizing if you are not the Christ nor Elijah, nor the prophet? 93 00:08:45,660 --> 00:08:49,650 As an aside, it's interesting to note, isn't it, that at least in educated 94 00:08:49,650 --> 00:08:54,120 religious circles, there was clearly an expectation of someone great to come. 95 00:08:54,870 --> 00:08:58,410 They were looking for someone for the Christ. 96 00:08:59,235 --> 00:09:05,715 Elijah or the prophet, their scriptures, our Old Testament led them to expect 97 00:09:05,715 --> 00:09:10,035 a deliverer to come, who in the last days would accomplish God's purposes. 98 00:09:11,025 --> 00:09:16,995 And that expectations seems to have put at least some people on edge at that time. 99 00:09:18,645 --> 00:09:22,515 But from their point of view to this point, John had just been fobbing them off. 100 00:09:23,715 --> 00:09:25,485 He wouldn't tell them who he was. 101 00:09:26,310 --> 00:09:28,229 He just kept telling them who he wasn't. 102 00:09:29,339 --> 00:09:37,920 It was almost as if he was trying to keep forcing their attention away from him to someone else, but it didn't make sense to them because of what 103 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:51,719 he was doing out there alongside the river in the desert for John was baptizing calling people to come and be washed, cleansed, to make a new start. 104 00:09:52,949 --> 00:09:56,069 In a sense to die and rise again. 105 00:09:57,329 --> 00:10:07,170 And he appears to have been making that call indiscriminately calling people no matter who they are, to repent and to start again. 106 00:10:08,729 --> 00:10:13,020 The fact is we don't know a lot, uh, about the practice of baptism before this 107 00:10:13,020 --> 00:10:18,540 in Judea there were plenty of examples of ritual washings in the Old Testament. 108 00:10:19,140 --> 00:10:22,380 Perhaps the example of name in the Syrian stands out in two Kings. 109 00:10:22,380 --> 00:10:22,920 Five. 110 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:33,510 He was a soldier in the king of Syria's army who had leprosy, and Elisha instructed him to wash in the Jordan seven times and he was cleansed. 111 00:10:35,130 --> 00:10:40,710 There are examples too, of being immersed in the water as a form of judgment and coming outta the water. 112 00:10:40,710 --> 00:10:43,920 In a new beginning, the prophet Jonah comes to mind. 113 00:10:45,345 --> 00:10:52,605 When the sailors realized that Jonah's rebellion is what had put their ship in danger, they eventually hurled him into the waves, and 114 00:10:52,605 --> 00:11:02,685 it's only after he was submerged, swallowed by the huge sea creature and spat out back on land that Jonah's new life of obedience began. 115 00:11:03,860 --> 00:11:06,105 Jonah arose and went to Nineva. 116 00:11:07,965 --> 00:11:12,795 The point is that John appeared to be saying that everyone needs to be cleansed. 117 00:11:13,725 --> 00:11:17,865 That everyone faces judgment and needs to begin a new life. 118 00:11:17,865 --> 00:11:19,425 And that was scandalous. 119 00:11:20,295 --> 00:11:21,435 The Gentile sinners? 120 00:11:21,435 --> 00:11:26,025 Yeah, maybe, but not the Jews, not the children of Abraham. 121 00:11:27,825 --> 00:11:34,305 John was calling all to be baptized in preparation for something astonishing about to be revealed. 122 00:11:35,565 --> 00:11:36,405 Get ready now. 123 00:11:36,405 --> 00:11:38,595 He was saying repent. 124 00:11:39,555 --> 00:11:41,565 You all need a new start. 125 00:11:42,494 --> 00:11:46,185 You all stand under judgment and you need to be rescued. 126 00:11:48,854 --> 00:11:51,584 But by what authority was he doing this? 127 00:11:52,604 --> 00:11:53,925 Who did he think he was? 128 00:11:55,364 --> 00:11:57,045 Could it be that he was one of those? 129 00:11:57,045 --> 00:12:01,484 They had been expecting doing something unexpected in the wilderness. 130 00:12:03,584 --> 00:12:09,464 Friends, the message of universal sin, we've all been caught up in it, not just them. 131 00:12:10,560 --> 00:12:12,510 And universal accountability. 132 00:12:13,830 --> 00:12:15,150 There is a judgment coming. 133 00:12:15,150 --> 00:12:19,050 We must all face and you need to seek out the rescuer. 134 00:12:19,050 --> 00:12:23,250 Now, that has never been a popular message. 135 00:12:24,510 --> 00:12:31,050 It involves facing up to something about ourselves that we do not really want to face up to. 136 00:12:32,460 --> 00:12:38,040 It means acknowledging we are lost and cannot remedy the situation ourselves. 137 00:12:39,195 --> 00:12:40,935 We need to be rescued. 138 00:12:42,315 --> 00:12:53,925 And some people, I dare say most people find that message offensive, and even some who call themselves Christian, find that message offensive. 139 00:12:56,715 --> 00:13:00,225 John, as I said, did not answer the question of the Pharisees. 140 00:13:00,225 --> 00:13:06,255 He refuses to focus attention on himself, not the Christ, not Elijah, not the prophet. 141 00:13:07,245 --> 00:13:11,444 Not one of those extraordinary, highly significant figures you've been expecting. 142 00:13:12,615 --> 00:13:15,944 Only a voice long promise. 143 00:13:16,214 --> 00:13:20,925 Yes, back in Isaiah 40, no less, but still just a voice. 144 00:13:21,704 --> 00:13:27,225 The voice of one crying in the wilderness makes straight the way of the Lord. 145 00:13:28,665 --> 00:13:36,045 There was a painting, which through my lack of technological skill, um, did not end up being flushed up as you were coming in this morning. 146 00:13:36,045 --> 00:13:36,825 But there it is. 147 00:13:38,745 --> 00:13:46,545 It's the famous crucifixion by Mathias Grenald, who put tries to put this truth visually, John 148 00:13:46,545 --> 00:13:53,205 the Baptist, standing over at the side pointing away from himself, uh, to the one who's crucified. 149 00:13:54,285 --> 00:13:57,255 And just as a bit of a spoiler, the lamb standing at his feet. 150 00:13:59,115 --> 00:14:09,195 The shocking thing being done in the desert was not about John in the end, but about the one he came to testify about. 151 00:14:10,425 --> 00:14:16,665 I'm pretty sure John could have Grandstanded, um, he could have spoken about himself in grandiose terms. 152 00:14:16,965 --> 00:14:23,355 Jesus appears to suggest that that might even be justified when he spoke about John the Baptist in Matthew 11. 153 00:14:24,255 --> 00:14:25,995 No one greater than John. 154 00:14:26,610 --> 00:14:31,050 Amongst those born of women, a prophet and more than a prophet. 155 00:14:33,030 --> 00:14:39,089 But John knew that his role was to point beyond himself to the one who came after him. 156 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:50,790 Now, his was a unique testimony given to him, but in another sense, a testimony to Jesus. 157 00:14:51,704 --> 00:15:01,094 Points beyond ourselves to him is the joyful responsibility of every Christian said the 20th century Swiss theologian. 158 00:15:01,094 --> 00:15:09,435 Carl Bart had a print of that painting above his desk as he worked on his monumental church dogmatics. 159 00:15:09,435 --> 00:15:17,535 He was meant to remind him that in everything he wrote, he needed to be pointing not to himself or anyone else. 160 00:15:18,735 --> 00:15:21,045 Only to the crucified and risen savior. 161 00:15:23,175 --> 00:15:27,435 So John's baptizing ministry was the vehicle of his testimony. 162 00:15:29,145 --> 00:15:30,735 But did you notice it's content? 163 00:15:32,145 --> 00:15:34,810 The second thing I want to say, testimony in the desert, 164 00:15:37,035 --> 00:15:41,535 these verses are a masterpiece of compressed communication. 165 00:15:42,495 --> 00:15:47,025 Did you notice how many different things are said about Jesus in the space of so few verses? 166 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:50,459 Even though at first glance this is really all about John the Baptist. 167 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:55,319 In verse seven, we're told that he came as a testimony concerning the light. 168 00:15:55,829 --> 00:15:59,849 His ministry was a preparation, and we are told it was a preparation for the 169 00:15:59,910 --> 00:16:05,430 true light that shines on the whole human race and was coming into the world. 170 00:16:06,150 --> 00:16:13,319 Jesus, the light of the world, Jesus, the one who reveals the hidden secrets of the human heart. 171 00:16:14,580 --> 00:16:19,080 But who shines light into the darkness and extinguishes it not the other way around. 172 00:16:20,670 --> 00:16:29,250 In verse 15, John testifies that the one to come very literally came after him, but he was before him. 173 00:16:30,060 --> 00:16:31,950 Prior to him, superior to him. 174 00:16:32,730 --> 00:16:37,320 The new beginning about to dawn was not the absolute beginning. 175 00:16:37,845 --> 00:16:40,035 There is no absolute beginning. 176 00:16:40,635 --> 00:16:44,295 So the one who from eternity was with God and was God. 177 00:16:45,675 --> 00:16:55,275 John May only just now have appeared doing what he was doing in the wilderness, but the one who came after him is prior to him in every way. 178 00:16:56,775 --> 00:17:03,555 And then in verses 26 and 27, John testifies to the one they did not know, though he stands in the midst of them. 179 00:17:04,215 --> 00:17:08,895 The one whose sandals he, John, is unworthy to untie. 180 00:17:10,694 --> 00:17:17,745 I'm sure you realize how degrading a thing it is, uh, to untie the dirty putrid sandals or someone who's been 181 00:17:17,745 --> 00:17:24,645 walking all day in the fields or in the village streets with all their mud and filth and goodness knows what else. 182 00:17:26,115 --> 00:17:28,095 But even more so in John's context. 183 00:17:29,385 --> 00:17:33,044 According to Jewish law, a Jew could not force another Jew to ue his sandals. 184 00:17:33,044 --> 00:17:41,355 Even a Jewish slave to do that would be to say something ugly and demeaning about your fellow Israelites. 185 00:17:42,554 --> 00:17:48,495 A gentile slave might be forced to do it, perhaps just perhaps, but not a Jew. 186 00:17:49,605 --> 00:17:55,155 And here John says, I am not worthy to untie this one sandals. 187 00:17:56,310 --> 00:18:00,600 Untying, his sandals would be to give me too much honor. 188 00:18:01,770 --> 00:18:05,670 He is so immeasurably greater than I could ever be. 189 00:18:06,540 --> 00:18:15,630 It would be an honor beyond my station to untie his sandals, no matter how much mud and dirt and filthy caked on them. 190 00:18:18,120 --> 00:18:20,430 And a day later in verse 29. 191 00:18:21,315 --> 00:18:26,655 It's the lamb, the one true sacrifice, the the fulfillment of the Passover story. 192 00:18:27,225 --> 00:18:31,275 Verse 32, the one on whom the spirit descended and remained the anointed one. 193 00:18:31,275 --> 00:18:36,435 The Christ who, because of this is identified as the one who baptizes with the Holy 194 00:18:36,435 --> 00:18:43,270 Spirit and the testimony that brings it all to an almost deafening crescendo in verse 34. 195 00:18:44,445 --> 00:18:50,265 And I have seen, and I have testified that this is the son of God. 196 00:18:51,600 --> 00:19:00,270 In the context of this whole chapter, the word is the only begotten son of God so much packed into 197 00:19:00,270 --> 00:19:09,480 these few verses, his surpassing majesty and glory, his transforming power, his saving sacrifice. 198 00:19:10,409 --> 00:19:17,699 John's testimony was the final preparation for a visit incomparably greater than that of any earthly king. 199 00:19:19,110 --> 00:19:30,390 What he wanted to make known was not who he was, but who was coming after him, and how much more significant, how much more glorious he was and is. 200 00:19:31,830 --> 00:19:38,550 It's a testimony that we need to hear and heed and in our own time to Harold. 201 00:19:41,130 --> 00:19:47,175 But one of those things John said is in a real and very exciting way, a summary of the entire Bible. 202 00:19:48,690 --> 00:19:58,200 And that is what takes us to our third and final observation, shocking behavior in the desert, testimony in the desert, and a savior in the desert. 203 00:20:00,120 --> 00:20:07,020 You see, back in the beginning, following the sin of our first parents in the Garden of Eden, turning aside 204 00:20:07,020 --> 00:20:13,320 from God's word, trusting the word of another, grasping at the right to determine everything for themselves. 205 00:20:14,580 --> 00:20:16,050 God had made a promise. 206 00:20:17,835 --> 00:20:28,125 A descendant of the woman Eve, our mother, the de, the descendant of the woman would crush the descendant of the serpent who had deceived her. 207 00:20:29,265 --> 00:20:39,105 One would come, who would undo that catastrophe, set things right, defeat the enemy, and restore not only the human creation, but the whole universe. 208 00:20:40,155 --> 00:20:44,625 He would come who would triumph in ways beyond all imagining. 209 00:20:45,165 --> 00:20:52,544 And the grief and shame and guilt and corruption and death would be dealt with forever. 210 00:20:54,105 --> 00:20:59,324 And so as we read our Bibles, we turn the page and eagerly await the son to be born of the woman. 211 00:21:00,735 --> 00:21:02,205 And we read of a son being born. 212 00:21:02,205 --> 00:21:02,745 Is it him? 213 00:21:03,885 --> 00:21:06,044 Will he undo what was done in the garden? 214 00:21:06,044 --> 00:21:09,014 Will he free us from everything that opposes us? 215 00:21:10,034 --> 00:21:12,375 But within a few verses, we discover he's a murderer. 216 00:21:13,410 --> 00:21:17,130 The only other option is the one who he has murdered. 217 00:21:18,780 --> 00:21:21,210 So we turn the next page and we read of Seth. 218 00:21:21,210 --> 00:21:29,400 Perhaps he's the one, but all we hear of him is that he has children and then he dies and we turn the 219 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:35,940 page again and we, we come across someone much more likely Enoch walks with God, but then God took him. 220 00:21:36,705 --> 00:21:37,395 He was not. 221 00:21:38,175 --> 00:21:39,135 So we keep turning. 222 00:21:40,035 --> 00:21:43,995 Is it Noah, the righteous man who with his family has kept safe in the flood, 223 00:21:44,895 --> 00:21:52,635 but he ends his life drunk and disgraced, then Abram, but promising as he seems. 224 00:21:53,055 --> 00:21:56,625 He ends his life with a divided family in land. 225 00:21:56,625 --> 00:21:57,615 He does not own. 226 00:21:58,980 --> 00:22:00,870 We keep turning Joseph? 227 00:22:00,870 --> 00:22:02,129 No, he dies in Egypt. 228 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:03,030 Moses? 229 00:22:03,030 --> 00:22:04,949 No, he dies outside the promised land. 230 00:22:05,310 --> 00:22:06,179 Is it Joshua? 231 00:22:06,179 --> 00:22:06,629 No. 232 00:22:06,689 --> 00:22:07,379 Is it Saul? 233 00:22:07,379 --> 00:22:08,310 Definitely not. 234 00:22:09,179 --> 00:22:10,020 Is it David? 235 00:22:10,020 --> 00:22:13,770 The loved one who's also a war monger and an adulterer? 236 00:22:14,939 --> 00:22:16,470 Is it one of his descendants? 237 00:22:16,530 --> 00:22:17,040 No. 238 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:17,879 In one way or another. 239 00:22:17,879 --> 00:22:23,520 Every Jewish king as a disappointment, and we keep turning, keep looking. 240 00:22:24,179 --> 00:22:25,709 The search does not stop. 241 00:22:26,745 --> 00:22:31,215 Until John the Baptist stands knee deep in the Jordan sticks out his bony index 242 00:22:31,215 --> 00:22:35,925 finger and says, behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 243 00:22:37,490 --> 00:22:41,595 You see, ever since the fall in the garden, we've been waiting for this moment. 244 00:22:42,675 --> 00:22:48,555 The whole Bible has been waiting for this moment, and the only one who can do 245 00:22:48,555 --> 00:22:54,020 anything about the root cause of every problem in the world has that last come. 246 00:22:55,875 --> 00:22:59,925 What you need and what I need more than anything else. 247 00:23:00,615 --> 00:23:08,475 The rescuer who does not disappoint and does what needs to be done so that you and I can be given the authority to 248 00:23:08,475 --> 00:23:16,935 be called children of God, the only savior of the world, the only name given under heaven by which we must be saved. 249 00:23:17,145 --> 00:23:18,645 He's here at last. 250 00:23:19,005 --> 00:23:23,445 Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 251 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:32,490 They are truly wonderful words when you think about, it sounded for us by the voice, just a voice. 252 00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:40,740 John the Baptist came to prepare the way, but the one for whom he was doing, this is the one we must be focusing on. 253 00:23:42,270 --> 00:23:47,190 So have you run to him as we're going to find out next time. 254 00:23:47,190 --> 00:23:49,350 John's disciples did the next day. 255 00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:54,360 When John repeated his testimony and said, behold the lamb of God, have you run to him? 256 00:23:55,650 --> 00:24:02,820 Are you constantly echoing John's testimony, pointing people to this only hope? 257 00:24:04,350 --> 00:24:12,180 Are you like John, vague about yourself, but crystal clear about this one, the one that really matters 258 00:24:14,310 --> 00:24:16,350 involved, um, painted that painting. 259 00:24:17,220 --> 00:24:23,250 John the Baptist, standing there pointing to the Christ, the lamb dying on the cross for sin. 260 00:24:24,750 --> 00:24:33,330 Um, but is said to have said, uh, that prodigious index finger pointing at the sun. 261 00:24:34,500 --> 00:24:40,560 We have no business pointing anywhere else, but we don't really need the painting, do we? 262 00:24:42,660 --> 00:24:44,100 We just need the voice. 263 00:24:45,480 --> 00:24:49,680 Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, 264 00:24:52,230 --> 00:24:52,770 shall we pray? 265 00:24:58,350 --> 00:25:05,040 Father, we often sing that all creation weights with bated breath for the coming of its deliverer and he has come. 266 00:25:06,270 --> 00:25:07,230 We thank you for that. 267 00:25:08,355 --> 00:25:16,425 And we pray that you might give to us in our time, in our own special way, the courage, the grace, 268 00:25:17,055 --> 00:25:26,565 the clarity, the passion to point to him as the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 269 00:25:27,210 --> 00:25:28,650 Please do that in each one of us. 270 00:25:28,650 --> 00:25:30,840 We pray For Jesus' sake. 271 00:25:38,700 --> 00:25:42,895 Thank you for listening to Moore in the Word, a podcast of Moore Theological College. 272 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:48,650 Our vision as a College is to see God glorified by men and women living for 273 00:25:48,650 --> 00:25:53,330 and proclaiming Jesus Christ, growing healthy churches and reaching the lost. 274 00:25:53,840 --> 00:25:55,220 The Christian life is a journey. 275 00:25:55,700 --> 00:26:02,630 The closer we walk with God, the more we surrender our plans for his to see the world come to know and love his son Jesus. 276 00:26:03,410 --> 00:26:05,210 Where does your life fit into God's plan? 277 00:26:05,720 --> 00:26:07,160 Where is the right place to serve? 278 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:11,030 How can you be equipped to reap the harvest God has prepared for you? 279 00:26:11,970 --> 00:26:14,070 God finds us in so many different places. 280 00:26:14,340 --> 00:26:18,240 He leads us from school to work, from being served to opportunities for service. 281 00:26:18,780 --> 00:26:23,670 For almost 160 years, he has led committed Christians to Moore Theological College. 282 00:26:24,420 --> 00:26:31,290 Moore College offers a chance to be shaped and transformed by the gospel of the Lord Jesus; to join a community committed to growing 283 00:26:31,290 --> 00:26:37,920 more like Christ; to deeply engage with God's word in its original languages; to become effective pastors and proclaimers of his 284 00:26:37,920 --> 00:26:44,710 good news; to prepare for global mission, humble men and women together doing whatever it takes to bring the gospel to the nations. 285 00:26:45,570 --> 00:26:48,750 The Christian life is a journey, and Moore College can be part of that. 286 00:26:49,139 --> 00:26:54,030 Whether it's the Preliminary Theological Certificate, a one-year Advanced Diploma, a three-year Bachelor 287 00:26:54,030 --> 00:26:59,820 of Theology, or a four-year Masters, Moore College can help you reach the field god is preparing for you. 288 00:27:00,470 --> 00:27:06,500 Find out more on our website moore.edu.au. 289 00:27:06,770 --> 00:27:08,310 That's moore.edu.au. 290 00:27:15,140 --> 00:27:19,990 You can find out more and register by going to the Moore College website: moore.edu.au. 291 00:27:20,090 --> 00:27:23,460 That's moore.edu.au. 292 00:27:24,060 --> 00:27:28,230 If you have not already done so, we encourage you to subscribe to our podcast 293 00:27:28,230 --> 00:27:32,129 through your favourite podcast platform so that you'll never miss an episode. 294 00:27:32,820 --> 00:27:37,830 For past episodes, further resources, and to make a tax deductible donation to support 295 00:27:37,830 --> 00:27:45,870 the work of the College and its mission, please visit our website at moore.edu.au. 296 00:27:46,949 --> 00:27:53,460 If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend and leave a review on your platform of choice. 297 00:27:53,520 --> 00:28:01,785 We always benefit from feedback from our listeners, so if you'd like to get in touch, you can email us at comms@moore.edu.au. 298 00:28:03,085 --> 00:28:11,125 The Moore in the Word podcast was edited and produced by me, Karen Beilharz and the Communications Team at Moore Theological College. 299 00:28:11,665 --> 00:28:15,615 The music for our podcast was provided by MarkJuly from Pixabay. 300 00:28:16,285 --> 00:28:17,185 Until next time.