The Lamb Of God.

THE LAMB OF GOD.

John 1:29-34.

As if to underline John the Baptist’s testimony that he was not the Messiah, “The next day he saw Jesus coming unto him, and saith, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’” (John 1:29). This was an unusual name for John to give Jesus, but in pointing to Him John was identifying Him as the ultimate sacrifice for all the sins of all His people.

“This is He of whom I said, ‘After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for He was before me’” (John 1:30; cf. John 1:15). John the Baptist’s testimony was Christ-centred throughout, and the One who was before was now coming after.

“And I knew him not,” admitted John. “But that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptising with water” (John 1:31). This is the great end of John the Baptist’s ministry: to proclaim Christ until He comes. In like manner, the duty of all within the Christian church is to proclaim His coming again, until He returns.

“And John bare record, saying, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him” (John 1:32). This is what John “saw” at the time of Jesus’ baptism, as recounted in the other Gospels. A gracious revelation of the Holy Spirit coming down from heaven in the manner of a dove, alighting on Jesus, and remaining with Him.

“And I knew Him not,” reiterated John. “But He that sent me to baptise with water…” (John 1:33a). It is evident that God had commissioned John, and had given him his instructions. We see here something of the special prophetic relationship that John the Baptist had with God.

“…the same said unto me, ‘Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which bapiseth with the Holy Ghost’” (John 1:33). Water baptism is only outward, but Holy Ghost baptism is inward. We are ‘born again of the Spirit of God.’

“And I saw, and bare record, that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34). Subsequent to seeing the Holy Ghost resting upon Jesus - and also hearing the voice of the Father in heaven (cf. Matthew 3:17) - John gave this further testimony: that hereby he knew that Jesus is the Son of God.