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John 1:30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for He was before me.

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Originally posted by Daryl Fawcett:
Let us move on to the next verse.

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John 1:30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for He was before me.

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What does "He was before me" mean?

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Hello Daryl

I see by your reply above that we are in agreement re the use of "sin," or "sins." I didn't have the BCs handy when I made the above post, but I did have in mind the things which you wrote. There is much wisdom in thse Bible Commentaries.

I know you are moving on to the next verse; but do you have a discussion here @ MSDAOL on "sins" and "sin?" It seems to me I saw one here once; but I can't find one now.

Now, moving to this next text, Jo.1:30, the context here is where John the Baptist was baptising people in the Jordan.

Was John the Baptist just talking about the last guy who set foot in the Jordan River, when he looked at Jesus and proclaimed: "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world?" No. Of course not. Neither was he speaking about the person before him, when he expanded on his proclamation about Him who was "before" him.

And I agree with those who have written here how Jesus has always existed. But, as I was looking at some Spirit Of Prophecy comments, regarding John 1:19-30, I found something really interesting. One of the reasons, I think this "before him" comment is so important in the human realm of things, is that since Jesus was always in existence; no one has any excuses, to NOT wash the robes of their character, in the blood of the Lamb.

When I saw news articles in my local paper, with President Bush proclaiming in his last State Of The Union Address: “There is power – wonder working power, in the goodness, and idealism, and faith of the American people;” I could only think how easily this statement could be misleading.

Not that I am saying there is anything wrong with Americans, or with President Bush, simply that the “wonder-working power we need in this hour of earth’s history, cannot come from human hands.

Speaking of Jo.1:29-30, I think Ellen G White has coined very well, what I am trying to say. I have come to see that I personally, (and so do others I am sure), need to pay better attention to these verses we are studying – especially the context of these verses, and what baptism, (which is what John was doing), really means:

“This is our washing and ironing time – the time when we are to cleanse our robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. John says: “Behold the Lamb Of God, which taketh away the SIN of THE WORLD.” Shall we not let Him take them away? Shall we not let our sins go?”
(GCB, April 6th, 1903, pg.89).

Seems some of us need to do more “laundry” (washing & ironing), than others.

Why do you think John also used the words “preferred before me,” when he spoke about Jesus here in verse 30? That Word “preferred” has got me wondering. I will be interested to see other’s thoughts on this.

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Post edited only to remove a URL from this post. -Daryl

[ February 17, 2003, 07:41 PM: Message edited by: Daryl Fawcett ]

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March 1, 1874 The Life of Christ.--No. 12.
By Ellen G. White.

His Baptism.

After Jesus had been baptized of John in Jordan, he went straightway up out of the water to the bank of the river, and bowed in the attitude of prayer. A new and important era was opening before him, and he felt the solemnity and responsibilities of the new duties he was to perform, and heavier burdens which he was henceforth to bear. His baptism was the first act of his public ministry; and he here identifies himself with sinners as their representative, in taking upon him their sins, and numbering himself with transgressors. In his prayer, Christ, with his human arm, encircles fallen humanity, while with his divine arm he is reaching for the throne of the Infinite.

His hands were raised upward, and his eyes were fixed as if penetrating Heaven; and he poured out his soul in supplication to his Father for strength to meet the unbelief and sinfulness of men, to break the power of Satan over man, and to be able to overcome Satan in behalf of man. He presented humanity before his Father, asking that he would grant to fallen man the light and strength and power from his own throne to successfully overcome the prince of the power of darkness.

The soul of Christ was burdened with the sense of the sinfulness of men, and the hardness of their hearts, that kept them in unbelief and darkness, so but few would discern his glorious mission and accept the salvation he came from Heaven to bring them. Christ was about to enter upon a scene of fearful trial and temptation, which was to open his life of conflict and suffering. He was to perform new and arduous duties, and bear heavy burdens, such as had never fallen to the lot of men. His sinless humanity supplicates support and strength from his Father as he was about to commence his labors. He asks for the witness that God accepts fallen man, in his Son. He reaches for the throne of God to hang man upon his Father's mercy.

Never had angels listened to such a prayer. They were solicitous to bear to the praying Redeemer messages of assurance and love. But no; the Father himself will minister to his Son. Direct from the throne proceeded the light of the glory of God. The heavens were opened, and beams of light and glory proceeded therefrom and assumed the form of a dove, in appearance like burnished gold. The dove-like form was emblematical of the meekness and gentleness of Christ.

The people stood spell-bound with fear and amazement. Their eyes were fastened upon Christ, whose bowed form was bathed in the beautiful light and glory that ever surround the throne of God. His upturned face was glorified as they had never before seen the face of man. The thunders rolled and the lightnings flashed from the opening heavens, and a voice came therefrom in terrible majesty, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The words of confirmation were given for the benefit of the witnesses at his baptism, and to assure God's dear Son that his Father accepted humanity through him, their substitute and surety, and that God would connect man to himself, and open Heaven to the prayers of men through the intercession of his Son.

Notwithstanding the sins of a guilty world were laid upon his Son, and he had humiliated himself to humanity to save the ruined race, Jehovah's voice assured Christ of his Sonship with the Eternal. In this manifestation, God put his seal to the plan of redemption through his Son, and evidenced that he accepted humanity as exalted through the righteous character and divine excellence of his beloved Son. A way was opened for sinners that, through obedience to God's law and faith in Christ as their Redeemer, they might form righteous characters and become children of God.

As John witnessed the Saviour of the world bowed in the deepest humiliation, and pleading fervently with tears for the approval of his Father, he was deeply moved. As the light and glory from Heaven enshrouded the Saviour, and a voice was heard claiming Jesus as the Son of the Infinite, John saw the token God had promised him, and knew for a certainly that the world's Redeemer had received baptism at his hands. With transport of joy and tearful emotion he stretched forth his hand, and pointed to Jesus, saying, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me; for he was before me." "And I knew him not; but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." And I saw the Spirit descending upon him like a dove and overshadowing him; and I heard the voice of God bear record that this is the Son of God.
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{YI, March 1, 1874 par. 7}

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John 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

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