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 told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ 31 I didn’t know him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him. 33 I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on—he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
John 1:29-34
For the Adults:
“The problem is sin, not skin. The answer is Grace, not race. Jesus died for ALL”
I’ve read this line or some rendition of it for several days now and have been praying about this for several days as well. Over the last week we have seen a collective outrage over George Floyd’s death. We have also seen some peaceful demonstrations calling for change. But it is now less about the movement and more about lawless violence that is dishonoring his name. And this quote (I couldn’t find the original author) because of all this, has resonated with me all week.
In verse 29, John the Baptist says the main thing about why Jesus, has come to earth.
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Earlier in this chapter, we see John the Baptist directing the Religious Leaders to Jesus, and here we see him pointing all of humanity to Jesus.
No ordinary human being can be “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” Everything the Apostle John and John the Baptist have told us is essential to Jesus being the sin-removing Lamb of God.
The reason Jesus was able to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world because he was the 100% God and 100% man. Jesus was holy and He was without sin. Therefore, He became the perfect sacrifice.
God knew all along that we would not be perfect so had a plan to put us back in right standing with Him, and that would be through His son Jesus.
Knowing who Jesus is, can keep us strong when difficult circumstances may cause us to doubt.
We need to know for ourselves and then proclaim to our world the good news of who Jesus is and what He came to do. We are sinners and He is God’s only Savior from sin.
For the children:
Are there people in your life who you refuse to be friends with? Why?
What sins do you have to confess to Jesus?
How can you or who do you have to point to Jesus?
Meditate:
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 told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ 31 I didn’t know him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him. 33 I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on—he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
John 1:29-34
Pray:
God I know I am not perfect, but I also know that when I ask for forgiveness you wipe away my sins. I know I am called to point others to you. Place someone on my heart that I can share the gospel with.
About the author:
Jose Aguilar Jr. is an Associate Pastor at FBC Weslaco and has served in this capacity for the last 11 years. He and his wife Blanca have served faithfully at FBC Weslaco since 2001. They are the proud grandparents of Lilyana Faythe and Trinidad Esperanza Aguilar.