TEXT: JOHN 1:29-34

John Testifies About Jesus

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 
30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 
31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
 
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 

33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 

34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

Introduction

John the Baptist presented Jesus as the Promised Messiah. John understood the messianic role that Jesus would play for the redemption of humankind. He therefore announced that Jesus was the Lamb of God, the Saviour of the world. Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is the offering for sacrifice provided by God for redemption. In the Old Testament, the Jews were taught to offer sacrifices for almost every aspect of life for the atonement of their sins. Sacrificial animals included pigeons, lamb, etc. When animals are sacrificed, the blood was thought to have a special effect in appeasing God as a sweet-smelling savour (Lev. 2: 9). Furthermore, when a lamb is used, it is usually without blemish – an offering for sacrifice provided by God for man’s salvation.
Today, we don’t offer sacrifices again, because we believe that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice in dying for us; and His blood was shed as atonement for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). We must appropriate this sacrificial work through faith by believing in the Saviour of the world.

 
 Prayer: Dear Lord, I acknowledge you as the hope of the Gentiles and the Saviour of the world. Please take away my sins and make me a new creature in Jesus’ Name. Amen.