Good morning friends! Celeste and I are back from a wonderful trip, refreshed but more aware of how happy home makes us and the blessings we have every day.
Our scripture this morning is John 1:29-31 (NIV).
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 the Baptist is the original Herald of Christ, signaling the coming of the Messiah and urging us to repent and be baptized. He calls Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”, an indicator of the sacrifice He makes for us and the saving power of the Cross.
In Israel at that time, people would wash to become “ceremonially clean” and animal sacrifices for their sin were performed in the Temple. Our baptism in His name and His Crucifixion reconcile us to God, and we no longer need the ritual washing or regular sacrifice, all we need is Jesus!
One of my favorite anthems during my choir days began with the words “Heralds of Christ, who bear the King’s commands”. By His grace we are saved, and we are all called, as John was, to carry the Good News to the world.
Heavenly Father, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to be our Savior. Forgive us for our failure and send us to tell everyone of Your love for us. Amen.
