THE LAMB OF GOD

Passage: John 1:29-34

Key verse: 29

NIV

John Testifies About Jesus

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,(A) who takes away the sin of the world!(B) 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’(C) 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.(D) 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water(E) told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’(F) 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[a](G)

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Footnotes
  1. John 1:34 See Isaiah 42:1; many manuscripts is the Son of God.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Behold, the Lamb of God

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, (A)the Lamb of God, who (B)takes away the sin (C)of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, (D)‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but (E)for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John (F)bore witness: (G)“I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and (H)it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but (I)he who sent me to baptize (J)with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, (K)this is he who baptizes (L)with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son[a] of God.”

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Footnotes
  1. John 1:34 Some manuscripts the Chosen One
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

John the Baptist testified to Jesus being God's chosen one, the Messiah. When John saw Jesus coming toward him, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John’s words alluded to Jesus, who would die on the cross for our sins.

Jesus' death on the cross revealed the worst of humanity’s sin and darkness. Jesus was an innocent man, God’s own son, who was betrayed and given into the hands of those who would put him to death. Even on the cross, Jesus said, “Father forgive them” (Lk 23:34). Jesus willingly sacrificed himself to bring God's grace and forgiveness to this dark world.

Jesus' forgiveness can heal us of all our sin and shame. We can know that we are accepted by God as we are. We are not defined by our worst mistake, but by God's grace. Unless we experience God's forgiveness, we cannot be truly free. Once we receive God's forgiveness for ourselves, we can also forgive others.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus who came as the lamb of God for the sin of the world. May I find healing through your life of sacrificial love and forgiveness.

One Word: Look to Jesus