John 1:35-42
"Look, the Lamb of God!", John told two of his disciples when Jesus was passing by. They may have heard him refer to Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!", earlier, when Jesus came to be baptized.
These men understood what it meant to sacrifice a lamb. In thier day lambs, goats, bulls, and doves were sacrificed in the manner commanded by God in the book of Leviticus. One reason they were sacrificed was as an offering for sin - individual, and as a nation.
John introduced his disciples to Jesus, the Messiah. John already knew who Jesus was - we saw that in yesterday's scripture, but Jesus was still a stranger to the disciples. If they were listening, the disciples were getting another piece of information; Jesus wasn't coming as a King, that time - He would be a sacrifice for sin. Like the lamb in the temple.
John's disciples leave and follow Jesus. From John they had learned about repentance from sin, now they would follow Christ. They would become disciples, imitators, learners of Christ. I wonder what John thought as he watched them go?
John the Baptist gives us a clear picture of our purpose - glorifying God by sharing the truth about Jesus Christ - the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world!
Thank you Kathy for pointing me to our Savior. Just like the disciples, the 1st time I saw Jesus I too realized who He really was- the Lamb of God who sacrificed Himself for me, died in my place, and took my sin away. Who am I that He would do that for me, that He would love me so unconditionally? I'll never understand it. All I can do is thank Him and praise Him for it. Lord, because of what You've done for me, and because I have Your Spirit living in me, I too can show that unconditional love to others. Lord, help me to share Your sacrificial love with the people you put in my path each day. Use me for Your glory. Make each day less about me, and more about You!
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for the Word. The speed and muddles of life sometimes cloud my vision and thinking, the truth gets mixed up in my head. I praise God for the simplicity of His Word and that He has made it so accessible to us. In doubt I can always find my answer in scripture and before long it becomes a part of me and I begin to doubt less and trust more. The truth becomes clear. In answer to your question of what John thought as he watched the disciples go? How wonderfully sweet the moment I watched each of my children becomes Jesus followers. I believe John was humbled, thankful, teary eyed, and forever grateful. May I be a Jesus pointer! Thank you Lord.
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