Our scripture this week is John 1:29-42.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
John 1:29-31
John had a special calling from God, a very important role to play. His ministry of baptism in the desert by the Jordan River called the people of Israel to recognize their sin and repent. While this was essential to God’s plan, it was key to preparing the way of the Lord, making the people ready to receive Jesus.
John recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and what He’d had come to do, telling us that Jesus was “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. John called people to repent of their sins, but Jesus came to wipe our sin away, the only way that we can be forgiven. Jesus came to be the sacrifice that destroys our guilt forever.
What must we do to receive the forgiveness the Lamb offers? We must follow the path John showed us, repenting of our former sinful ways, and receiving Christ’s blessing. We are called to live new lives in Him, loving God, loving neighbor and making disciples of all the world. This is the gift God gives us that we may be reconciled to Him.
Loving Lord, we are so thankful for the gift of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Thanks You for loving us so much! Amen.