Read: John 1:29-42
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (v. 29)
Do you have a title? Maybe a job title or profession, or maybe a role: son or daughter, dad or mom, grandparent, spouse, friend, co-worker, neighbor, or classmate? In John 1, John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and referred to him as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (v. 29).
It might seem odd that John referred to Jesus as a Lamb, but there are significant reasons why he did. When sin entered the world (as recorded in Genesis 3), God’s people began to offer sacrifices. Throughout the Old Testament an animal’s blood was shed, including lambs. In Exodus 12, God instructed the people to prepare a lamb without defect and sacrifice it as the Passover lamb. The blood of this lamb, placed on the doorframes of their home, would cause “the destroyer” who carried out the tenth plague in Egypt (v. 23) to “pass over” that home and spare the firstborn. God’s people would be set free from slavery.
In pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God, John the Baptist was affirming that Jesus is the sacrifice God provided so that all who believe can be spared from eternal death and set free from slavery to sin. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Has his sacrifice on the cross been applied to you?
As you pray, give thanks for Jesus and pray for those you know who need to trust in him.
About the Author
Rev. Steve Petroelje is a specialized transition pastor who serves vacant churches and helps them assess health, pursue missional effectiveness, and conduct a pastoral search process. He is the past-president of the Words of Hope Board of Trustees.
