Following the Lamb
Sermon text for January 20, 2008:
John 1:29-42
John’s disciples didn’t know it as they stood talking beside the Jordan River, but they were about to have a life changing experience. The change will begin when they hear John the Baptizer says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Such simple words, but they were filled with a depth of life changing meaning.
By this time in the story, Jesus has already been baptized by John, and the mood is tense, filled with expectation. Something is about to happen. The Jews don’t know it but they are waiting for Jesus to begin his ministry.
So here we see John standing near the River with some of his disciples when Jesus comes walking by. According to John’s account these two giants of the Kingdom do not even speak to one another. So far as we know there is not even a polite nod of the head. In fact this non-encounter is hardly worth mentioning except for what happens between John and his disciples. John’s words set in motion a process that would forever change the disciples’ lives. He says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
In terms of evangelism, this is not a great opening line. In fact, it is such a strange idea that it is hard to believe that anyone in first century Israel would have understood what he was talking about.
It appears that John’s own understanding begins to grow as he hears himself speak the truth about Jesus. Slowly the light begins to shine. Jesus is the one about whom John has been preaching. He is the one for whom John has labored tirelessly. As the light dawns, John is moved by a feeling of great humility. Standing near Jesus, John feels totally inadequate. He feels small and unworthy to perform even the most humble act of a servant. Yet he does serve by telling his friends, “I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
There it is out in the open for the first time. Jesus, the Lamb of God is also the Son of God. At this point in the story we would love for the disciples to fall on their knees in penitence, or to lift their voices in praise. But after hearing this most important news, nothing happens. No one does anything. Jesus passes by, the moment passes, and John and his disciples continue with whatever they were doing. The story stalls at least momentarily.
What I want to know, is what did John’s disciples think when they heard his testimony? His word should have carried a lot of weight with them. Was his testimony the beginning of faith? We simply don’t know. All that we know is that upon hearing the testimony disciples did nothing, and John did nothing.
It’s frustrating isn’t it? John shares the most important truth in the world, but neither he nor his disciples do anything about it.
Like John’s disciples, when we hear the news that Jesus is the Lamb of God we have several choices. We can reject the idea because it doesn’t make sense to us. We can accept the words as true and still do nothing. Or we can believe the words, let them take root in our hearts, and use them as the foundation of life. When we allow the words to take root we draw closer to the One who forgives us and makes us whole. But it is possible to remain passive while appearing to be actively involved.
Passive involvement is the plague of the people of God. In Old Testament times as in Jesus’ day, believers often went through the motions of belief. They attended the synagogue, offered sacrifices, and tried to obey the law. But they were not involved with God and God told them so. He said, “I don’t want your sacrifices, I want your hearts!” These believers were internally uninvolved while outwardly doing all the right things. And the sad part – frightening part – is that I don’t think they knew they were uninvolved and holding themselves back from God.
John’s disciples heard the good news: Jesus is the One about whom John has been prophesying. He is the reason for John’s being born. Yet the disciples and John remain uninvolved.
The next day Jesus approached John and his disciples again and John repeated his testimony. “This is the Lamb of God.” This time, the disciples began to follow tentatively, from a distance. And finally upon Jesus’ invitation they began to actively search. They wanted to know what Jesus was all about. They wanted to know what he could tell them about the important questions of life. Slowly over a period of years the disciples found themselves involved both inwardly and outwardly. Following Jesus became their life’s quest.
Let’s imagine that we are standing with John along the River as he announces, “Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” What is your response? Do you want to know him better? Do you want to praise him or perform acts of gratitude?
Jesus is the Lamb of God. Let the life quest begin!
Copyright © 2008 by Dwight R. Blackstock
John 1:29-42
John’s disciples didn’t know it as they stood talking beside the Jordan River, but they were about to have a life changing experience. The change will begin when they hear John the Baptizer says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Such simple words, but they were filled with a depth of life changing meaning.
By this time in the story, Jesus has already been baptized by John, and the mood is tense, filled with expectation. Something is about to happen. The Jews don’t know it but they are waiting for Jesus to begin his ministry.
So here we see John standing near the River with some of his disciples when Jesus comes walking by. According to John’s account these two giants of the Kingdom do not even speak to one another. So far as we know there is not even a polite nod of the head. In fact this non-encounter is hardly worth mentioning except for what happens between John and his disciples. John’s words set in motion a process that would forever change the disciples’ lives. He says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
In terms of evangelism, this is not a great opening line. In fact, it is such a strange idea that it is hard to believe that anyone in first century Israel would have understood what he was talking about.
It appears that John’s own understanding begins to grow as he hears himself speak the truth about Jesus. Slowly the light begins to shine. Jesus is the one about whom John has been preaching. He is the one for whom John has labored tirelessly. As the light dawns, John is moved by a feeling of great humility. Standing near Jesus, John feels totally inadequate. He feels small and unworthy to perform even the most humble act of a servant. Yet he does serve by telling his friends, “I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
There it is out in the open for the first time. Jesus, the Lamb of God is also the Son of God. At this point in the story we would love for the disciples to fall on their knees in penitence, or to lift their voices in praise. But after hearing this most important news, nothing happens. No one does anything. Jesus passes by, the moment passes, and John and his disciples continue with whatever they were doing. The story stalls at least momentarily.
What I want to know, is what did John’s disciples think when they heard his testimony? His word should have carried a lot of weight with them. Was his testimony the beginning of faith? We simply don’t know. All that we know is that upon hearing the testimony disciples did nothing, and John did nothing.
It’s frustrating isn’t it? John shares the most important truth in the world, but neither he nor his disciples do anything about it.
Like John’s disciples, when we hear the news that Jesus is the Lamb of God we have several choices. We can reject the idea because it doesn’t make sense to us. We can accept the words as true and still do nothing. Or we can believe the words, let them take root in our hearts, and use them as the foundation of life. When we allow the words to take root we draw closer to the One who forgives us and makes us whole. But it is possible to remain passive while appearing to be actively involved.
Passive involvement is the plague of the people of God. In Old Testament times as in Jesus’ day, believers often went through the motions of belief. They attended the synagogue, offered sacrifices, and tried to obey the law. But they were not involved with God and God told them so. He said, “I don’t want your sacrifices, I want your hearts!” These believers were internally uninvolved while outwardly doing all the right things. And the sad part – frightening part – is that I don’t think they knew they were uninvolved and holding themselves back from God.
John’s disciples heard the good news: Jesus is the One about whom John has been prophesying. He is the reason for John’s being born. Yet the disciples and John remain uninvolved.
The next day Jesus approached John and his disciples again and John repeated his testimony. “This is the Lamb of God.” This time, the disciples began to follow tentatively, from a distance. And finally upon Jesus’ invitation they began to actively search. They wanted to know what Jesus was all about. They wanted to know what he could tell them about the important questions of life. Slowly over a period of years the disciples found themselves involved both inwardly and outwardly. Following Jesus became their life’s quest.
Let’s imagine that we are standing with John along the River as he announces, “Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” What is your response? Do you want to know him better? Do you want to praise him or perform acts of gratitude?
Jesus is the Lamb of God. Let the life quest begin!
Copyright © 2008 by Dwight R. Blackstock
posted by Dwight Blackstock | 3:23 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home