Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Co 1:3). Amen.
“Look!” That one word is meant to grab our attention. But what is important is what follows. With another winter storm supposedly around the corner, it might be this soon: “Look. 3-6 inches of snow on the ground.” The emphasis is on the white stuff on the sidewalk. (That can be exciting if you want to go sledding. Not so much if you have to start shoveling.) “Look.” That command draws our eyes to something.
Or someone. Such was John the Baptizer. “Look.” But it was not as a tour guide showing the sights. But it was as a forerunner, sharing the Savior. “Look! The Lamb of God!” That is a message pointed out to people and a message that is pointed out through people. We read from …
John 1:29-41
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God,
What is your opinion on pointing?
Perhaps your parents taught you that it was bad manners. “Don’t point at people” rates right up there with “don’t stare at people.”
Possibly you have told another that it is an impolite practice. It makes an individual uncomfortable or uneasy.
Maybe you deem it a bad habit.
But it can be a good one. It is a privilege to point to something like a cure for a common cold or to someone like the Redeemer of a fallen planet. John made a living doing it.
Look! The Lamb of God!
1. That is a message pointed out to people (29-39)
2. That is a message pointed out through people (40,41)
1. That is a message pointed out to people (29-39)
I suppose that we would call it the audience—the one or ones who are to do the observing when the cry goes out: “Look!” John was in the wilderness. But he was not alone. Many made the trek out to hear him. He was preaching about the One to come. And one day he was there. The Lamb of God. That is a message pointed out to people.
John the Baptist did his job well—even when there was controversy or criticism from the religious elite (Jn 1:19-28). He was to prepare the way for the Lord (Jn 1:23)—tearing down the arrogant and building up the discouraged. Just like all the prophets in the Old Testament, he carried out his commission carefully. He was clear. He was not the Christ (Jn 1:20). He was just a simple messenger.
But with a significant message. John the Gospel writer gives a great example of how John the Baptizer did that. “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God” (Jn 1:29). It was not a reference to Jesus’ dress—a fleece jacket instead of a camel garment (Mt 3:4). But to Jesus’ work.
That designation was not lost on them. They got it easier than we might grasp it. They were familiar with their history. There was the unblemished lamb of the Passover (Ex 12:1-13). Before leaving the slavery of Egypt, their ancestors painted that animal’s blood on their doorframes. The Lord passed over those homes and the firstborn was spared. And then lamb after lamb lost its life at the tabernacle and later the temple.
That was a valuable visual aid. Every time a worshipper witnessed a lamb spill its blood, he could claim or she could contend: “That one died so that I might live. That one for me. My sin requires suffering, bleeding, and dying.”
All of that looked ahead to the One who would give his life for their guilt. It was a powerful reminder that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (He 9:22). But note that John did not assert, “a lamb of God.” But he affirmed “the Lamb of God.” In the flesh. He is God’s Lamb, without defect (1 Pe 1:19). He was perfect and holy to cover us. God chose him to give up his life and pour out his blood. For us.
That is why God sent his Lamb—“who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29; 1 Jn 2:2). He picked up and carried off the mass, the mountain, of sin to the cross. Isaiah’s pen wrote in prophesy: “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. … He was led like a lamb to the slaughter” (Is 53:6,7).
And notice whose sins. The world’s. Not just Israel’s, or yours, or mine. But of all. Those sins were laid on and paid for by the Lamb. He offered the price to set everyone free (1 Pe 1:19). That brings to mind what Isaiah predicted: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Is 49:6). Look! The Lamb of God. That is a message pointed out to us. He has saved his people from their sins (Mt 1:21). Our sin is no longer on us, but on our Savior. He is worthy of our praise (Re 5:12).
But there was more pointing that day. At first it could sound as if John is speaking in riddles: “This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me’” (Jn 1:30). But not if we take it apart.
“A man who comes after me” (Jn 1:30). Jesus was born after John and his ministry was after John’s. That is, in time.
“has surpassed me” (Jn 1:30). Jesus, true God and true man, is of higher rank than John like a general and a private.
“because he was before me” (Jn 1:30). Jesus is eternal—no beginning and no end (Jn 1:1-3).
That doesn’t diminish John’s efforts. He understood his role: “I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel” (Jn 1:31). Combining water and word, John’s baptism washed away sin. He was to reveal the One who would come to rescue them. It might be like the person who holds up a present for all to see after unwrapping it. “Look at this jewelry.” John’s mission: “Look at this Jesus.”
John took them back to that big day when he baptized Jesus. He could state the facts just as a witness in a court of law does because of what he had viewed closely as if a spectator at a sporting event who watched an outstanding play. He saw the Holy Spirit descend in the form of a dove and stay on Jesus (Jn 1:32-24). He was there as the Father voiced his approval: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17). It was obvious to him. Jesus is “the Son of God” (Jn 1:34). Look the Lamb of God, the Son of God. John points us to him so that we believe in have and have life through him (Jn 20:31).
The next day John does that again, only abbreviated a bit for two of his followers who heard the full statement the previous day. Gazing at Jesus as he walking by (Jn 1:35): “Look, the Lamb of God!” (Jn 1:36). Andrew and the other disciple were aware of the implication. John was commenting, “That is the One you need to be with—the Christ.” And they took off after him.
Jesus faced them with a critical question: “What do you want?” (Jn 1:38). Jesus was not being paranoid that two strangers were stalking him. He wanted them to examine their motive for shadowing him—to search their hearts. Was it a quest of curiosity or an inquiry of interest? What were they expecting from Jesus?
That is a good thing for us to stop and mull over in our minds. What do we desire from the Lamb of God? It is seven tips for easy living, a pain-free, problem-free life? Or eternal life, free from all sin? Because that is what he provides for us and presents to us.
Rarely do you call the doctor when you are sick and there is an immediate opening. It is usually, “How does next month look for you?” (By that time you will be better.) Not with Jesus. No delay. When those two wanted to know, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” (Jn 1:38), they were requesting a private hearing with Jesus. His reply was: “Come … and you will see” (Jn 1:39). What an invitation. Come. Listen and learn from the Lamb of God. That pair got to spend that day with Jesus as he explained to them who he was and why he came (Jn 1:39). That was so special that mention is made of the time—the tenth hour—like we check our phone for what time a big text came through. John the Baptizer could point to him; Jesus the Lamb could point to himself.
When we devote time to being with Jesus—in church or at home, in a study or on a cell, we realize that Jesus removes our sin. Why? Grace. And the result? Peace. No wonder the apostle Paul started his letter to the Christians in Corinth with that idea, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Co 1:3). Those two gifts are ours too—grace and peace, undeserved kindness from God and unparalleled harmony with God as holy ones—free from sin and far from sin. No accusation can stand up against us (Mt 11:28). We are blameless—right now and forever (1 Co 1:8). All because of Jesus. Look! The Lamb of God. That is a message pointed out to people. To us.
2. That is a message pointed out through people (40,41)
There is a progression. Those who have been pointed to something or someone become pointers of the same. John to the people, to his two disciples. That is when those two take the lead. Look! The Lamb of God. That is a message pointed out through people.
Andrew did not walk away from that time with Jesus unimpressed (Jn 1:40). There was no yawn of boredom or sigh of disappointment. It is not like you watch an infomercial and realize that you won’t get that half hour back. This was no waste of time. It never is when we are with Jesus.
It is apparent in his action. “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon” (Jn 1:41). Did he go to others? More than likely. But Simon initially. (We know him better as Peter.) The unnamed other undoubtedly did the same with those near him. And it wasn’t because of an amazing product, but an astonishing person.
And we have the concise comment: “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ)” (Jn 1:41). It wasn’t a matter of supposing that or suspecting that Jesus was that. But he was sure and certain. It was a fact. “Peter, this is the One whom God anointed and appointed. We have been waiting for him. Now he is here.” It is hard to miss his excitement and his eagerness.
There may be times when we may not be as enthusiastic. Is with family? Or with a friend? What will they think? What will they say? So we are silent about the Christ.
Be like Andrew. When we hang around with Jesus, we talk about Jesus. He is the Christ. He communicates with us in his Word. He conquered the devil. He controls all things. We can reiterate the remark: “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ)” (Jn 1:41). With the psalmist we state: “With my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations” (Ps 89:1). “God … is faithful” (1 Co 1:). Look! The Lamb of God. That is a message pointed out through people. Through us.
“Look!” That makes us aware that there is something or someone worthy of consideration. It may be rude, but not when it is right. You may even extend your index finger. Like John, we exclaim, “Look! The Lamb of God. That is a message pointed out to us and then pointed out through us. That is quite an honor for us and then from us. Happy Epiphany. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:22). Amen.
January 15, 2017
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