Our Gospel reading this week, from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer, and as we finish out the second week following Epiphany, comes from John’s Gospel. We read of when John the Baptist introduced Jesus to some who were to become His first disciples. How did John the Baptist, possibly the most popular preacher at the time, introduce Jesus to the others? What did he say? Let’s look into our Scriptures for today.
John the Baptist and Jesus were related, as their mothers were most likely cousins. The two had probably met on several occasions while growing up. John the Baptist’s ministry was a bold one, calling upon everyone, including the religious elite, to repent of their sins and be baptized. The crowds of people flocked to him, many consenting to be baptized, including the Lord Jesus. As He left the water, John the Baptist called out to those who were present, introducing who this was. John didn’t tell them that this was his cousin. He didn’t tell them that here was another good preacher, and that they should listen to some of His sermons. John introduced Jesus as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (vs. 29, 36).
What did John mean by calling Jesus the “Lamb of God”? All throughout the Old Testament day animals were brought to the Temple as sacrificial offerings, the most important being the sin offering. God had instituted this, as without the shedding of blood there could be no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). Frequently the animal sacrificed was a lamb, including for the Passover holy days, and on the Day of Atonement.
Could the blood of a lamb really make atonement for someone’s sin? As we study Scripture, the animal blood could only cover our sin, not take it away (Hebrews 10:4). These sacrifices only covered our sin, just as a garbage can lid covers up the garbage in the can. The stink and filth of the garbage is still there, underneath the lid. We needed something that would take it away. To pay the penalty for our sins, a life had to be given, one that would fully take away the sins, not just cover it up. God chose the perfect sacrifice, Himself. That was the reason Jesus came to earth. He came not merely to be a good preacher, nor to be a good example of a life well-lived. He came to die on the cross for our sins. The sins of the world were paid for when Jesus died as the perfect sacrifice. That is what John was announcing that day.
When John saw Jesus that day, the Holy Spirit revealed to him exactly who Jesus was (vs. 32-34). He knew on that day that Jesus wasn’t just his relative, but that He was the Messiah. This wasn’t just his bragging about his cousin according to the flesh. He didn’t know this by personal knowledge, but by divine revelation.
Twice John the Baptist called Jesus the “Lamb of God” proclaiming Him as the sacrifice for our sin, the sin offering, whom all of the multiple millions of sacrificed lambs before had represented. All of the Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed what Jesus did on the Cross. He is our Passover Lamb. Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, and took away the sin of the world.
John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the One that the people should now follow. “Behold, the Lamb of God”. He is the One who can take away our sins, John was saying. He is the One who can bring eternal life, not John. John wanted his disciples, and everyone present, to turn to Jesus. So what did his disciples do? Two of his disciples, Andrew, and most likely the Apostle John, started to follow Jesus (vs. 37-39). Andrew also went and brought his brother Peter to Jesus, who later became the leader of the Apostles and one of the leaders of the early Church (vs. 40-41).
What about you? Are you still trying to bring your own sacrifices to atone for your sins, or have you followed what John the Baptist said, and looked to the Lamb of God? As one great old-time hymn clearly proclaims:
If you from sin are longing to be free,
Look to the Lamb of God.
He, to redeem you, died on Calvary,
Look to the Lamb of God.
Look to the Lamb of God,
Look to the Lamb of God.
For He alone is able to save you,
Look to the Lamb of God.
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