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John 1:29–36 The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because He was before me.’ 31I myself did not know Him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that He might be revealed to Israel.” 32And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him. 33I myself did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” 35The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (ESV)
I. Lamb of God is extremely significant in the scripture.
A. Abraham & Isaac Gen 22:2–13
1. Abraham is told to take his “only son” to sacrifice him.
2. Abraham obeyed God.
3. They BOTH trusted God enough to obey.
4. At the last moment God provided a lamb to take the place of Isaac.
B. Passover Lamb—Hebrews trying to leave Egypt; God said, “I’ll take care of it; follow my directions.”
1. They were to take a lamb and sacrifice it.
2. Then sprinkle its blood on doorposts.
3. “…when I (God) see the blood, I will pass over you.” Ex 12:13
II. Jesus—God’s perfect lamb. v 29–31, 36
A. Jesus willingly presented Himself as the complete sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:13–14 & 24–28 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins… 24For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. 25And He did not enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. 26If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, He has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice. 27And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
B. God provided the Lamb.
III. God revealed in Father, Son, and Spirit. v 32–36
A. Trinity is seen at Jesus’ baptism.
1. There is one God.
2. Revealed in three persons.
B. This is a true mystery:
1. We don’t have to completely understand it.
2. We do have to believe it.
Application:
1. Because Jesus is the Lamb of God, we are now the children of God.
2. We must obey God no matter the circumstance.
