Sun,
Jan 5
1. THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
a. What did John the Baptist declare concerning Jesus? John 1:15–18.
b. How did John identify himself to the religious leaders? John 1:19–23. What prophecy did he fulfill—and how shall we relate to it? Isaiah 40:3–5.
“In every stage of this earth’s history God has had His agencies to carry forward His work, which must be done in His appointed way. John the Baptist had a special work, for which he was born and to which he was appointed—the work of preparing the way of the Lord. . . .
“[His wilderness ministry] was a most striking, literal fulfillment of prophecy.”—The Southern Watchman, March 21, 1905.
“The Lord gave [John the Baptist] his message. Did he go to the priests and rulers and ask if he might proclaim this message?—No, God put him away from them that he might not be influenced by their spirit and teaching. He was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, [Isaiah 40:3–5 quoted]. This is the very message that must be given to our people; we are near the end of time, and the message is, Clear the King’s highway; gather out the stones; raise up a standard for the people. The people must be awakened. It is no time now to cry peace and safety.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 410.
Mon,
Jan 6
2. A MISSION OF SACRIFICE
a. When Jesus came to John to be baptized, how did John identify Him and testify of His mission to the public? John 1:29, 34. What prophecy did this fulfill? Isaiah 53:4–7.
“Christ was as much man’s Redeemer in the beginning of the world as He is today. Before He clothed His divinity with humanity and came to our world, the gospel message was given by Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, and Noah. Abraham in Canaan and Lot in Sodom bore the message, and from generation to generation faithful messengers proclaimed the Coming One. The rites of the Jewish economy were instituted by Christ Himself. He was the foundation of their system of sacrificial offerings, the great antitype of all their religious service. The blood shed as the sacrifices were offered pointed to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. All the typical offerings were fulfilled in Him.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 126.
b. How did John introduce Jesus to his disciples? John 1:35, 36. What effect did his words have on them—and what happened next in his own life? John 1:37.
“On the following day [after Christ’s baptism], while two disciples were standing near, John again saw Jesus among the people. Again the face of the prophet was lighted up with glory from the Unseen, as he cried, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ The words thrilled the hearts of the disciples. They did not fully understand them. What meant the name that John had given Him—‘the Lamb of God’? John himself had not explained it. Leaving John, they went to seek Jesus.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 138.
“John informed his disciples that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Saviour of the world. As his work was closing, he taught his disciples to look to Jesus, and follow Him as the Great Teacher. John’s life was sorrowful and self-denying. He heralded the first advent of Christ, but was not permitted to witness His miracles, and enjoy the power manifested by Him. When Jesus should establish Himself as a teacher, John knew that he himself must die. His voice was seldom heard, except in the wilderness. His life was lonely. He did not cling to his father’s family, to enjoy their society, but left them in order to fulfill his mission.”—Early Writings, p. 154.
Tue,
Jan 7
3. JESUS’ FIRST DISCIPLES
a. Who were some of Jesus’ first disciples? Matthew 4:18, 21. What interest in Christ did they manifest and how long was their first meeting with Him? John 1:38, 39.
“One of the two [that followed Jesus] was Andrew, the brother of Simon; the other was John the evangelist. These were Christ’s first disciples. Moved by an irresistible impulse, they followed Jesus—anxious to speak with Him, yet awed and silent, lost in the overwhelming significance of the thought, ‘Is this the Messiah?’
“Jesus knew that the disciples were following Him. They were the first fruits of His ministry, and there was joy in the heart of the divine Teacher as these souls responded to His grace. Yet turning, He asked only, ‘What seek ye?’ He would leave them free to turn back or to speak of their desire.
“Of one purpose only were they conscious. One presence filled their thought. They exclaimed, ‘Rabbi, . . . where dwellest Thou?’ In a brief interview by the wayside they could not receive that for which they longed. They desired to be alone with Jesus, to sit at His feet, and hear His words. . . .
“If John and Andrew had possessed the unbelieving spirit of the priests and rulers, they would not have been found as learners at the feet of Jesus. They would have come to Him as critics, to judge His words. Many thus close the door to the most precious opportunities. But not so did these first disciples. They had responded to the Holy Spirit’s call in the preaching of John the Baptist. Now they recognized the voice of the heavenly Teacher. To them the words of Jesus were full of freshness and truth and beauty. A divine illumination was shed upon the teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures. The many-sided themes of truth stood out in new light.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 138, 139. [Author’s emphasis.]
b. What did the first disciples do soon after meeting Jesus? John 1:41, 42.
“Andrew sought to impart the joy that filled his heart. Going in search of his brother Simon, he cried, ‘We have found the Messias.’ Simon waited for no second bidding. He also had heard the preaching of John the Baptist, and he hastened to the Saviour.”—Ibid., p. 139.
Wed,
Jan 8
4. BREAKING DOWN PREJUDICE
a. Describe what happened when Jesus invited the next disciple to follow Him. John 1:43–45.
“Philip obeyed the command, and straightway he also became a worker for Christ. Philip called Nathanael.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 139.
b. What can we learn from the way Christ was able to overcome Nathanael’s hesitancy? John 1:46–49.
“As Nathanael looked upon Jesus, he was disappointed. Could this man, who bore the marks of toil and poverty, be the Messiah? Yet Nathanael could not decide to reject Jesus, for the message of John had brought conviction to his heart.
“At the time when Philip called him, Nathanael had withdrawn to a quiet grove to meditate upon the announcement of John and the prophecies concerning the Messiah. He prayed that if the one announced by John was the deliverer, it might be made known to him, and the Holy Spirit rested upon him with assurance that God had visited His people and raised up a horn of salvation for them. . . .
“ ‘Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.’
“It was enough. The divine Spirit that had borne witness to Nathanael in his solitary prayer under the fig tree now spoke to him in the words of Jesus. Though in doubt, and yielding somewhat to prejudice, Nathanael had come to Christ with an honest desire for truth, and now his desire was met. His faith went beyond that of the one who had brought him to Jesus. He answered and said, ‘Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel.’
“If Nathanael had trusted to the rabbis for guidance, he would never have found Jesus. It was by seeing and judging for himself that he became a disciple. So in the case of many today whom prejudice withholds from good. How different would be the result if they would ‘come and see’!
“While they trust to the guidance of human authority, none will come to a saving knowledge of the truth. Like Nathanael, we need to study God’s word for ourselves, and pray for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. He who saw Nathanael under the fig tree will see us in the secret place of prayer. Angels from the world of light are near to those who in humility seek for divine guidance.”—Ibid., pp. 139–141.
Thu,
Jan 9
5. AN OPEN HEAVEN
a. What did Christ promise Nathanael—and why? John 1:50, 51.
“[John 1:50, 51 quoted.] Here Christ virtually says, On the bank of the Jordan the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended like a dove upon Me. That scene was but a token that I am the Son of God. If you believe on Me as such, your faith shall be quickened. You shall see that the heavens are opened, and are never to be closed. I have opened them to you. The angels of God are ascending, bearing the prayers of the needy and distressed to the Father above, and descending, bringing blessing and hope, courage, help, and life, to the children of men.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 142, 143.
b. What happens when we accept Christ? John 4:14; Revelation 22:17.
“When one has received the truth in the love of it, he will make this manifest in the persuasion of his manner and the tones of his voice. He makes known that which he himself has heard, seen, and handled of the word of life, that others may have fellowship with him through the knowledge of Christ. His testimony, from lips touched with a live coal from off the altar, is truth to the receptive heart, and works sanctification upon the character. . . .
“God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ’s, we must share in His work. In order to enter into His joy—the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice—we must participate in His labors for their redemption.”—Ibid., p. 142.
Fri,
Jan 10
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Why was John the Baptist called to the wilderness?
2. How should we apply the lifestyle of John the Baptist to our own?
3. What we can learn from John and Andrew when they met Jesus?
4. How can we be inspired by the early declaration of Nathanael?
5. What reveals whether or not my faith in Christ is genuine?