John 1:29-34 - Lesson #9

John the Baptist was called to be a witness for Christ. He even referred to himself as "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Make straight the way of the Lord'" (John 1:23). These words speak of one who would announce the coming of the Savior. John now gives the grandest of all announcements.

John 1:29-34
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, "After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me." I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.' And John bore witness, saying, 'I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining in Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.'"

This is the second day as recorded in the gospel of John with the focus clearly on announcing Jesus and His purpose, "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" In one respect, the entirety of God's Word is centered around this single statement. But what does the Lamb of God really mean?

When God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac innocently asked his father; "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" (Genesis 22:7). Though Abraham continued to make preparations to sacrifice Isaac, he confidently replied, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering" (Genesis 22:8). And God did! He provided the sacrifice which took the place of Isaac; "So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son" (Genesis 22:13).

On the night the Israelites were led out of Egypt they were told to kill a lamb and put some of the blood "on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses" (Exodus 12:7). The blood of the lamb identified and protected the children of Israel; "When He sees the blood...the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer of come into your houses to strike you" (Exodus 12:23). This was the first Passover.

And when God gave the Law, He also instructed on making sacrifices; "One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight...This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations" (Exodus 29:39, 42). This system was to restore the relationship broken by sin, but it was a system which could never fully restore; rather, it taught of our need for a substitute sacrifice.

John came to announce that Jesus Christ is the One true sacrifice. He is the only way for our sin to be removed and the relationship with God restored. Let's allow our lives to be a witness that Christ lives in us, has forgiven and fully restored us to the Father, and is truly the Lamb of God.