HOST: Michael Whitworth
The next day he 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 ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
It is interesting that, at this initial introduction of Jesus by John, he refers to Him not as a King and Conqueror, as so many of the Jews were looking for, or as the glorious Son of God as had been previously revealed to Him at Jesus’ baptism, but as the sacrificial Lamb sent by God to take away the sins of the world. It was this picture of Jesus that was the hope of Israel and the supreme purpose of Jesus’ coming into this world. And it is that great identity of Jesus as the Lamb of God that continues to offer hope and salvation to a lost and dying world, for it is only by His atoning death that we can find the redemption and forgiveness that we so desperately need. Thanks be to God for His incredible love and the wonderful gift of His Son who willingly died for us!
How has your life been changed by the sacrifice of Christ?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
