Scripture: John 1:29-42a
As John (the writer of the Gospel of John) began his account
of Jesus’ life, he introduced John (the Baptizer) as one sent from God who would
bear witness about the light, revealing the one who is the Word who was in the
beginning and became flesh to dwell among us. This reading records John’s
testimony as he names Jesus, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world.” This reading shows us Jesus as the promised savior, points us to him as
the one God appointed to make him known, and invites us to, “Come and see,” who
Jesus is.
Teaching
A person cannot know Jesus as their Lord and Savior without
him being revealed to them. Notice that John states that he would not have
known Jesus except that the Spirit descended on him. His disciples knew because
John pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold!” Simon found out because Andrew
brought him. This means that part of our life as Christians is to be the one to
point to Jesus and name him, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world.”
The question Jesus asked Andrew and the unnamed person with him
(whom many guess was John (the writer)) is also very important: “What are you
seeking?” This passage teaches us to seek, “the Lamb of God.” People approach
Jesus from many different directions. Some approach him as a teacher, a new
Moses who shows us how to live morally and rightly. Others approach him as a philosopher who espoused new and progressive relationships with God, gender,
government, and more. Yet others approach him as a fraud, a liar, a man caught
up in something too big for him, a victim, etc.
Jesus came to be the Lamb of God. First and foremost, his
mission was to bring life and salvation by his sacrifice. There are two
references here to note: the Passover and the Sacrificial System. Jesus is the
lamb whose blood marks us to free us from slavery to sin and to deliver us from
death. He is also the lamb that was sacrificed to pay for our sin. To approach
him for something else is to rather miss the point.
Life
How might you point Jesus out to someone in your life? We
often do this in church and family through worship and education programs, but
John (the Baptizer) was going about his business. Where might you find
opportunity to speak of the Lamb who atoned for your sins?
What do you seek from Jesus? Often our prayers focus on
healing, help in our earthly need, and relief from the pains and sorrows of
this life. How might this passage cause us to think differently about what we (and
others) need from Jesus? Consider a closer look at the Lord’s Prayer in the
Small Catechism while you think about this.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, you gave Jesus to be the Lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the world, and you called people to him through the
testimony of others. Thank you that that testimony has come to us! Forgive us
for our slowness to point to Jesus and our shyness as witnesses for Him. Make us
bold to bring others so they too may know Him as the Lamb of God who takes
their sins away, too. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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