Look! The Lamb of God!
Photo by Jasmin Staab on Unsplash
An unexpected description
Each one of us has various roles in life—within our family of origin and at various points in life. Some roles are temporary, and some endure. John the Baptizer knew his role in life. He was the “voice in the desert,” who preceded and proclaimed the coming of Israel’s Messiah.
John knew and accepted that his important but limited role would end when the One whom he proclaimed arrived. But how would he know for sure who this person was?
John was given specific guidance to identify the Messiah. He would know when he saw the Holy Spirit of God come down and remain on that man. This required discernment.
John knew that identifying the Messiah would take place as he went about his work of preaching and baptizing. The day after the Pharisees confront John about who he is and why he’s doing his ministry, he sees Jesus.
This prompts John’s declaration to his followers that Jesus was the One whom all Israel was waiting for, but describes Jesus in an unexpected way. He calls Jesus ”the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
Somehow, John the Baptizer, also a prophet, knew the role Jesus would fulfill later upon the cross. This was not the expectation the Jews had for their Messiah.
Scripture
John saw Jesus coming toward him the next day and said, “Look! This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘A man who comes after me was before me because he existed before I did.’ I didn’t know who he was. However, I came to baptize with water to show him to the people of Israel.” [vss 29-31]
John said, “I saw the Spirit come down as a dove from heaven and stay on him. I didn’t know who he was. But God, who sent me to baptize with water, had told me, ‘When you see the Spirit come down and stay on someone, you’ll know that person is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
I have seen this and have declared that this is the Son of God.” [vss 32-34]
(John 1:29-34 GW) [Context– John 1]
Key phrase—
Look! This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Reflections...
John the Apostle uses many figures of speech in the Gospel of John, his three epistles, and the book of Revelation. Each title and metaphor used for Jesus throughout John's gospel gives us a more detailed understanding of who He is.
John the Baptizer calls Jesus—the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We don’t find this description of Jesus in the other gospels. This speaks of Jesus' redemptive death on the cross, but also reaches back to the Old Testament and the Passover lamb, which foreshadowed Jesus’ death on the cross.
When Moses led Israel out of Egypt from their slavery, he established and celebrated the first Feast of Passover (see Exodus 12:1-20). This feast, connected to the sacrifices made on the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 23:26-31), was a prophetic illustration of the Lord's death on the cross (see Hebrews 10:1-14).
John also makes clear the eternal nature of Jesus as the Son of God at the beginning of his gospel (John 1:1, 14). And later, in John’s writing of the Book of Revelation, Jesus is described as “the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world” (see Revelation 5:8, 13; 13:8).
Jesus’ death upon the cross to remove the sentence of death upon all people because of sin was God’s “Plan A.” It was determined long before Jesus came to earth as God in human form.
Digging Deeper...
When did John see Jesus, and what does he say about Him?
What are two ways John describes Jesus, and what titles does he use to do this?
How is John supposed to know who Jesus is, and who tells him this?
How are the two descriptive names John uses to proclaim who Jesus is connected?
Taking it to heart...
Are you familiar with the Old Testament Feast of Passover and the Day of Atonement? If not, read about them here—Exodus 12; Leviticus 23:4-8, 26-31.
Do you see how and why John connects Jesus as the Lamb of God to His being the Son of God? (see John 1:27, 30)
Are you familiar with the story of John baptizing Jesus and seeing the Holy Spirit come and remain on Him? If not, read about it here—Matthew 3:13-17.
Are you able to understand how Jesus is both the Lamb of God and the Son of God? If so, in what ways has this impacted your life?
Personalize it...
Consider the humility and sacrifice of Jesus as the Lamb of God and His authority and nature as the Son of God.
As you meditate on the two truths above, ask God to help you understand these vital and important truths and why they are important for all followers of Jesus.
