QT 23/01/2026 Fri. John 1:19–34. Aura Building or Being A Witness? The simple & difficult tasks. 建立威望还是作见证？简单与艰难的任务
QT 23/01/2026 Fri. John 1:19–34. Aura Building or Being A Witness? The simple & difficult tasks.
READ http://www.esv.org/john1:19-34
A witness knows his own proper place, points to Christ (not himself) and speaks what he knows to be true (no fluffs). This is simple because we only tell the truth about Jesus. It is difficult because it demands humility, courage and faith.
Focus: John 1:19–34 (ESV)
(1) Knowing Who You Are — and Who You Are Not (vv. 19–23)
When questioned by the religious leaders, John the Baptist is remarkably clear and humble: “He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’” (v. 20)
John knows his identity, but more importantly, he knows his limits. He refuses to claim glory that belongs only to Jesus. In a world obsessed with aura-building, self-definition and recognition, John teaches us a vital spiritual lesson: faithfulness begins with humility.
John describes himself as: “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” (v. 23)
He is not the message — he is the messenger. Likewise, our calling as believers is not to draw attention to ourselves, but to prepare hearts to encounter Christ.
Devotional takeaway: Are there ways we subtly seek recognition rather than pointing others to Jesus? True ministry always decreases so that Christ may increase (John 3:30).
(2) Religion Cannot Save — Only Christ Can (vv. 24–28)
John’s baptism causes confusion among the religious leaders. Why baptise if you are not the Messiah? John’s response shifts their focus away from ritual and toward a Person: “Among you stands one you do not know.” (v. 26)
This is a sobering statement. The religious experts are close to the truth, yet blind to it. They know Scripture, tradition, and ceremony — but they do not know Jesus.
Devotional takeaway: It is possible to be near holy things and still miss Christ. Church attendance, knowledge, and service cannot replace a personal relationship with Him.
(3) Behold the Lamb Who Takes Away Sin (vv. 29–31)
The heart of this passage explodes into view when John sees Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (v. 29) This is not merely poetic language. John is pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system — the true Passover Lamb whose death will atone for sin once and for all. Notice: Jesus does not just cover sin; He takes it away.
Devotional takeaway: The gospel is not about self-improvement, but substitution. Jesus bears what we could never remove ourselves.
(4) The Spirit Reveals the Son (vv. 32–34)
John testifies that he saw the Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove: “And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (v. 34) John’s confidence is rooted not in opinion, but in divine revelation. God Himself confirms the identity of Jesus. Faith is not blind — it is grounded in God’s testimony.
Devotional takeaway: We believe not because Jesus fits our expectations, but because God has revealed Him through Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
Gospel Reflection
This passage calls us to do two things: (1) Repent — like those who came to John, acknowledging our sin and need. (2) Believe — looking away from ourselves and fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Lamb of God. John’s entire life points to this moment: not “look at me,” but “behold Him.”
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus, the Lamb who takes away my sin. Guard my heart from pride and self-focus. Help me, like John, to decrease so that You may increase. Open my eyes daily to behold Your glory and walk in obedience. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
QT 23/01/2026 星期五. 约翰福音1:19–34 建立威望还是作见证？简单与艰难的任务
阅读 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john 1%3A19-34&version=CNVS
见证人深知自身定位，指向基督（而非自我），并传讲确知为真的真理（绝无虚饰）。这看似简单，因我们只需述说耶稣的真理；却又充满挑战，因它要求谦卑、勇气与信心。
焦点经文：约翰福音1:19-34
(1) 认清自我身份——以及非我身份（19-23节）
面对宗教领袖的质询，施洗约翰展现出非凡的清晰与谦卑： “约翰并不否认，坦白地承认说：“我不是基督。”（第20节）
约翰清楚自己的身份，但更重要的是，他深知自己的界限。他拒绝将唯属耶稣的荣耀据为己有。在这个痴迷于塑造光环、自我定义与寻求认可的世界里，约翰为我们上了宝贵属灵功课：忠心始于谦卑。
约翰如此描述自己：“我就是在旷野呼喊者的声音：‘修直主的路！’”（第23节）
他并非信息本身——而是传递信息的使者。同样，我们信徒的呼召不是吸引目光，而是预备人心迎接基督。
灵修要点：我们是否在不自觉地寻求认可，而非引导他人归向耶稣？真实的事工必日渐消退，唯使基督日益彰显（约翰福音3:30）。
(2) 宗教不能救人——唯基督能救（24-28节）
约翰的洗礼令宗教领袖们困惑不已：若非弥赛亚，何必施洗？约翰的回应将焦点从仪式转向一位人物：“但有一位站在你们中间，是你们不认识的。”（26节）
这番话令人警醒。宗教专家们近在咫尺却视而不见——他们通晓经文、传承与礼仪，却不认识耶稣。
灵修启示：身处圣物之中仍可能错失基督。教会出席、知识积累与事奉行为，皆无法替代与祂的个人关系。
(3) 看哪，除罪的羔羊（29-31节）
当约翰看见耶稣时，经文核心骤然显明：“看哪， 神的羊羔，是除去世人的罪孽的！”（29节）这绝非诗意修辞。约翰正指明耶稣是献祭制度的终极成就——那真正的逾越节羔羊，其死亡将永远赎尽罪孽。请注意：耶稣不仅遮盖罪，更彻底除去罪。
灵修要点：福音不是自我完善，而是代赎。耶稣承担了我们永远无法自行除去的重担。
(4) 圣灵显明圣子（32-34节）
约翰见证他看见圣灵如鸽子降在耶稣身上：“我看见了，就作见证：这是神的儿子。”（第34节）约翰的信心并非基于主观臆断，而是植根于神圣启示。神亲自印证了耶稣的身份。信心并非盲从——它奠基于神的见证。
灵修要点：我们信靠耶稣，并非因祂符合我们的期待，而是因神借着圣经与圣灵向我们显明了祂。
反思
这段经文呼召我们实践两件事：（1）悔改——如同那些来到约翰面前的人，承认自己的罪与需求；（2）信靠——不再注视自我，而将目光定睛在神的羔羊耶稣身上。约翰毕生指向这一刻：不是“看我”，而是“看祂”。
祷告
亲爱的主，感谢祢差遣耶稣——那除掉我罪的羔羊。求祢保守我心免于骄傲与自我中心。求你帮助我效法约翰，使自我渐渐减少，让你在我生命中不断加增。求祢每日开启我的眼睛，使我瞻仰祢的荣耀，活出顺服的生命。奉耶稣的名祷告。阿们。
