Our scripture this morning is John 1:29-31.
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 was sent as the forerunner of Christ, telling people about repentance and forgiveness. He uses a concept that the people of that time would understand, that of the Passover lamb. In Exodus 12:23-36 we hear that the Angel of Death passed over the children of Israel because they had faith in God and the blood of a lamb on their doorposts was the sign.
God loves us so much that He sent His son that we might learn and understand. Through Christ’s teaching and example we learn this Old Covenant sacrifice is no longer needed now that He has come, bringing the New Covenant. Our faith in Him is now the sign. His sacrifice for us is the only thing we need to be saved.
Like John the Baptist we are to be representatives for Jesus in the same way today. We are called to live new lives in Him, loving each other as He first loved us. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the only way for us to come to the Father to be forgiven.
Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way for us to be saved from our sin and live with You forever. Bless us to be energetic disciples, sharing the truth and love Jesus gave us. Amen.
