Scripture: John 1:24 (ESV) – “Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.”
John 1:24 gives us an important detail about the delegation questioning John the Baptist: “Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.” The priests and Levites questioning John were not acting on their own; they were representatives of the Pharisees, a powerful and influential group within Jewish religious life. This background sets the stage for understanding the motivations and authority behind their inquiries.
The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law and their role as guardians of Jewish religious practices. They were deeply invested in maintaining spiritual order and ensuring that no one upset the established traditions. When they heard about John the Baptist—his unconventional ministry, his call to repentance, and his practice of baptizing Jews—they became alarmed. The Pharisees sent their representatives to confront John and to make sense of what was happening.
This verse highlights the seriousness with which the religious establishment viewed John’s ministry. He was seen as a potential threat, someone who needed to be scrutinized and, if necessary, contained. The Pharisees’ concern was understandable from a human perspective: John was disrupting the religious norms and drawing large crowds. But their rigid focus on religious protocol blinded them to the new and transformative work God was doing through John. The promised Messiah was about to arrive, and instead of being open to God’s unfolding plan, the Pharisees were more concerned with preserving their own authority and traditions.
Reflect on how this applies to us today. Are there times when we become so focused on our own routines and traditions that we miss the fresh work God is doing? The Pharisees, despite their extensive knowledge of Scripture, struggled to recognize God’s movement when it came in an unexpected form. We, too, can fall into the trap of prioritizing comfort and control over a willingness to follow where God leads.
This verse also reminds us that, like the Pharisees’ delegation, we are all “sent” in one way or another. The Pharisees sent these priests and Levites with a mission, though theirs was rooted in skepticism and suspicion. In contrast, as believers, we are sent by God with a mission of love, truth, and the hope of the gospel. How are we fulfilling our mission? Are we representing Christ well, or do we let our own agendas and biases interfere with the work He has called us to do?
Reflection Questions:
- Are there areas in your spiritual life where you are more focused on preserving tradition or control rather than being open to God’s new work?
- How can you be more intentional in fulfilling the mission God has given you, representing Him with grace and truth in the world?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us through this passage the danger of becoming so focused on our own expectations that we miss what You are doing. Help us to have open hearts, ready to see and embrace Your work, even when it comes in unexpected ways. Send us out with a clear sense of purpose, that we may represent You faithfully and humbly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*edited from a sermon by Pastor Chris Cousine*
Covenant Presbyterian Church 