October 3J oyful Testimony

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! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
 
WHAT happens when a loved one for whom you have waited a long time comes to you? You get excited, don’t you? Eagerly, you exclaim, “Welcome! I’m so glad to see you!”
   John the Baptist saw Jesus walk toward him, and he knew this was the One he had been waiting to see for his entire life. John had been born for this moment. He had endured the wilderness, been steadfast to preach and baptize. He had answered, “Who are you?” to now say, “The reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
   John’s work has been worthwhile. He has prepared the way for the Lamb of God, who is now come to minister God’s gospel of grace. For centuries the Lamb had been the animal of redemption in God’s law. For example: Exodus 12:21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.” Also, Leviticus 5:6 and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin. There are many others. Rarely was an offering complete without an unblemished lamb. John said that God’s law has become flesh.  
    Notice for the first time in his gospel, John, the apostle, mentions Jesus by name. He then immediately through John the Baptist’s words connects Jesus to “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Jesus is the Lamb. Jesus is the complete sacrifice. He is Savior because he is the Lamb of God.
   As we learned about joy a few lessons back, we can readily believe John the Baptist was filled with joy to see the Savior! Likely, too, the apostle John wrote these words many years later with great joy as he recounted God’s wonderful love come to earth. Here is the unspeakable love, grace and passion the Lord God Almighty bestows upon the world. In the Living Lamb, the apostle and the prophet would each have hearts filled with a deep sense of well-being in the Lord. John the Baptist saw centuries of prophecy fulfilled before his eyes. John, the apostle, witnessed the wonder of the Lord’s life, death, resurrection and ascension. The prophet said the Lamb would take away sin. The apostle witnessed the Lamb’s power to do so.
   These are testimonies of two men called to witness God’s wonder on earth. I pray we joyfully see God walk so lovingly into our lives, and we know the One who takes away our sins.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the law to show the way to Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, that you are the Lamb of God, who takes away all my sins. Amen.