BEHOLD JESUS, THE LAMB OF GOD
OPENING TEXT: “Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.” (John 1:35-37).
QUOTE: Charles Spurgeon, The Prince of Preachers, said: “It is the preacher’s principle business… to cry, “Behold the lamb of God.” For this reason was John (the Baptist) born and came into the world… his chief errand was to herald the Messiah, the Son of God. What we have said of John we may say of every God-sent minister: he is sent to bear witness to the Christ of God.”
· My goal this morning is to paint a picture of Jesus for you, to help you “Behold!”
I heard a preacher say once, “Preaching is easy, it’s just bragging on Jesus until He shows up!”
1. JESUS IS WILLING TO HELP:
“When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Matthew 8:1-3).
- Jesus is willing to help! “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16).
- We know Jesus has the POWER to help us, and we know He has helped people in the PAST, but sometimes we doubt His willingness to use His power to help US, TODAY.
- This leper was an outcast, and yet Jesus touched Him. He loves the unlovely! He will love and accept those who come to Him in faith.
2. JESUS IS THE HEALER:
“Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:14-17).
- Jesus is the Lord who heals us – He still heals today! (quote Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever).
- One thing I like about this story is that it shows us that Jesus cares even about everything from the little things – even a little fever – to the great. He also opened blind eyes and raised people from the dead. Nothing is impossible with God!
3. JESUS IS THE SAVIOUR:
“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Matthew 9:9-13).
- Jesus is our Saviour – He loves us, accepts us, and forgives us!
- One of my favourite quotes is: “The church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners.” Let’s be real, open & honest in our relationship with God!
4. JESUS IS COMPASSIONATE:
“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching…preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38).
- Jesus has great compassion for hurting people.
- Here is where we come in – He wants us to share His love with others!
“The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives.” (Matthew 10:1, The Message).
- The Lord wants us to take Jesus to the world - to share His love with all of those we meet!
CLOSNIG CHALLENGE:
“Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).” (John 1:35-42).
- There are no spectators or benchwarmers in the Kingdom of God!
- God has called all of us to be witnesses for Jesus!
- When Andrew met Jesus, right away he brought his brother to Jesus, and Simon’s life too was changed by Jesus! Let’s tell other people the Good News!
