BEHOLD THE LAMB
#227a BEHOLD THE LAMB
Scripture John 1:29-34 Orig. 10/4/1989
Passage: 29 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.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[a]
Purpose: Continuing a series from John’s Gospel, here declaring the Lamb, and the disordered world that needs His stability.
Keywords: Christ as Saviour Salvation
Timeline/Series: John Series Bible Study
Introduction
In the years of our lives, we have watched our world become fatally, almost hopelessly entangled against itself. Our world is more conscious of individual human rights than any world ever to exist. But this world of ours is not a safer world. The creation of such rights, born singularly of the gospel of Jesus, has usurped the “oughts" of our moral dilemma.
We are reminded how far apart the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights is from our own Declaration of Independence. (B74p118). Carl Henry reminds us that the UN Declaration is preoccupied with human rights, and neglects an emphasis on human responsibilities. It has no voice, and apparently no stomach, for a divine source and a divine sanction of man’s freedom in society. The Declaration of Independence, however, proclaims human equality, declaring all “created equal.” But it takes a hallowed step further. It reminds us that we are “endowed by our creator” with those “inalienable rights.”
If you care to know what makes the difference in these two documents, you will find the answer opposite the line on the Order of Service that says “sermon.” “Behold the Lamb!!”
The early church was aflame with a passion for Jesus. We know today what the church ought to be because they are our role model. The church of the 16th and 17th centuries, out of which American democracy was born, was also aflame with this passion for the Lamb. What message are you leaving, are we leaving for the generations of the unborn? Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
“Behold the Lamb!”
I. A View of the Voice. V29 “John saith, . . . Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 12:21 “We would see Jesus” read the inscription at a former pastorate. Even the most casual view of these six verses must take John into account. It was he who declared himself to be the voice. It was he who down-played himself so that the Master would be magnified. John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It was he who would view all men as in sin, and in need of the gospel. It was he who saw Jesus as the timeless One. John 1:30 “Preferred before me, for He was before me.” It was he who would give no man a preferential place with God. The Jew would be treated exactly as the Gentile in matters of the Spirit.
It is this man, John the Baptist, that John the Apostle describes as the true messenger. The fact that he was a kinsman of Jesus does not enter into this at all. V31 “I knew Him not.” Perhaps they were strangers. Perhaps separated since childhood. Perhaps in the heat of spirit-control Jesus was unrecognized.
But now, the messenger must come to grips with his message. The Holy Spirit points Him out. V33. The message already preached requiring personal response is related to the Lamb. A formidable picture. Some tests suggest John could see sheepmen taking lambs to be used in sacrifice. 2:13, the Passover is at hand.
He now, seeing Jesus for himself, calls on others to see Him. “Behold the Lamb of God.” Remember Simeon, “My eyes have seen your salvation.” Uniquely, the sacrifice. “Lamb” refers to provisioning. And His sacrifice relates to man’s sin as no other can.
Going beyond our text, we see John lead his own disciples to Jesus. He won them to himself. With approbation, he points them to Jesus. See 35-37. “Behold!” v36. Remember Paul’s admonition to the church at Corinth. 2 Corinthians 4:5. “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.”
II. A View of the Void. “Behold the Lamb . . . which taketh away the sin of the world.” The void is the present generation. Ours is a day of internal discord. There is more to do with than ever before. V23 Wilderness. We have more time than any other people. But there is minimal concern for the lostness of humanity.
The media hypes the void for its entertainment value. There is the void of homelessness. The void of aging in America. The void brought on by a bludgeoning drug war: Many are haters of drug traffickers; their refrigerators are never empty of booze. The void of sexual license that is opting for the murder of babies which ultimately becomes abuse of survivors.
Has it not occurred to you that our present distress is directly attributable to the compromise of religious values? The lack of faith is becoming a vocal unfaith. In response to this polarizing unfaith is a militant Christian action concept. Other non-Christian religions are more determined than ever for their voices to be heard. Religious wars are presently underway in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland. Communism’s “openness” approach may be a wait-and-see attitude for these present crises (drugs, sex) to overwhelm us.
III. Finally, and I Use the Word with Great Deliberation, a View of the Victim. V34 “And I saw, and bear record, that this is the Son of God.” In this expressive chapter are eleven names by which He is called
Word, v1
Life, v4
Light, v7
The only begotten of the Father, v14
Jesus Christ, v17
Lamb of God, v29
Son of God, v34
Master, v38
Messiah, v41
Jesus of Nazareth, v45
King of Israel, v49
He added one more, his own favorite designation of himself, Son of Man, v51. A term used significantly by Daniel. 7:1 a man, but of heavenly cast. A man identified with God’s people.
Put aside all other names to concentrate on Jesus, the Lamb: victim.
Victim in that this is the sinless Jesus: The Jews brought lambs “without blemish.” The greatness of man’s sin called for the greatest of sacrifice. God’s integrity is such that sin must be dealt as is due. Hebrews 10:12 “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
Victim in that He has come to redeem. “. . . the lamb of God that taketh away sin.” Years ago, Rhonda spilled oatmeal she couldn’t put back. Kevin accidentally destroyed tomatoes and they couldn’t be fixed. A teenager provided drugs that cost his brother’s life. A Costa Rican farmer used slash and burn attack on his rain forest: within two years erosion made it unusable. Whether we think of wrongs as sin or indiscretion, we can’t fix them.
Victim in that from His death comes my life, your life. “The lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” John advises his own two disciples to “behold” the son V35, 36. They hear the Word after they have heard the voice v37a. They come to personal belief v37b. (John’s assurance doesn’t count.) They become followers of Jesus v39. “They abode with him.” (Greek meno persevere, steadfast)
Conclusion
What of the night, O watchman? Turn to the East thine eyes;
And say is there any token of the dawning in the skies?
Or do the shadows linger, the lips, are they sad and dumb
With never a word of gladness that the tarrying morn is come?
Then answered the patient watchman from the mountain’s lonely height,
To the waiting souls in the valley, I can see the breaking light!
There’s a glow on the far horizon that is growing more wide and clear;
And soon shall the sun be flinging His splendours both far and near!
What of the night, O Watchman? Rises to Thee our cry.
Prophet divine of Nazareth, make to our hearts reply.
Over the earth’s wild warfare comes not a time more fair?
Swords into ploughshares beaten? Peace reigning everywhere?
Wait, saith the heavenly Watchman; let not the spirit quail.
Strife shall not be eternal; harmony shall prevail.
Battle-clouds all shall scatter; hatred shall be outcast.
Love’s ever-broadening glory break o’er the world at last!
Quoted by J Sidlow Baxter