Scripture: John 1:25 (ESV) – “They asked him, ‘Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?'”
In John 1:25, the delegation sent by the Pharisees presses John the Baptist with a critical question: “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” Their inquiry reflects their confusion and skepticism. They could not understand why John was performing an act as significant as baptism if he did not claim to be one of these major figures they were expecting. Baptism was not just a casual ritual; it carried weight and meaning, symbolizing repentance and purification. By baptizing, John was doing something radical and unexpected, especially since he was calling even Jews to repentance.
For the Pharisees and their representatives, religious authority and practices were tightly regulated. They were not accustomed to someone acting so boldly outside their established system. Their question implies, “Who gave you the right?” In their eyes, only someone with divine authority or prophetic status should be able to initiate such a significant religious practice. John’s ministry was shaking up their understanding of how God’s work should unfold, and they demanded an explanation.
This scene challenges us to think about how we respond when God works outside of our expectations. The religious leaders had built systems that made sense to them, but God was doing something new and different through John. Are we sometimes guilty of asking similar questions when we see God working in unexpected ways? Do we demand explanations or insist that God conform to our ideas of how things should be done? The Pharisees’ rigidity blinded them to the new movement of God’s grace that was unfolding before their eyes.
John the Baptist’s boldness and faithfulness to his calling remind us that God’s work is not bound by human expectations or limitations. He often uses unlikely people and methods to accomplish His purposes. Are we willing to recognize and embrace what God is doing, even when it makes us uncomfortable or challenges our traditions?
The Pharisees’ question also pushes us to consider the authority we recognize in our own lives. Do we place more weight on human traditions and systems than on the voice and leading of God? While it is important to respect and honor godly leadership and church practices, we must never let them take precedence over the genuine work of the Spirit. John was operating under God’s direct call, and he didn’t need to fit into the Pharisees’ expectations to be faithful to that calling.
Reflection Questions:
- How do you respond when God’s work challenges your expectations or goes beyond the norms you are comfortable with?
- Are there areas in your life where you need to let go of control and allow God to work in His way, even if it doesn’t make sense to you?
Prayer: Lord, we confess that we often want to control how You work, demanding explanations when things don’t fit our expectations. Help us to trust Your wisdom and to be open to Your ways, even when they challenge our understanding. Give us the humility to recognize Your authority and to be willing participants in Your work, no matter how unconventional it may seem. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*edited from a sermon by Pastor Chris Cousine*
Covenant Presbyterian Church 