City Life Starter

By Aisha Darwesh

The Word: John 1:29-42

Behold, the Lamb of God

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

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

This week, we are in John 1, and we have already discussed the introduction of the Word in flesh (i.e. Jesus) and the introduction and testimony of John the Baptist.

Today we are going to be taking a closer look at Jesus as the Lamb of God and His calling of Andrew and Simon Peter. In verse 29, John the Baptist sees Jesus coming towards him and immediately recognizes Jesus is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John the Baptist then identifies his purpose in baptizing in water–“that He [Jesus] might be revealed to Israel.”

John the Baptist was a forerunner for Christ–somebody who was sent ahead of Jesus to prepare the way for Jesus. God revealed to John the Baptist the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus like a dove and remaining on Jesus. That’s how John recognized Jesus would be the one to baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Can you imagine his excitement? He saw the Holy Spirit rest on Jesus and remain on Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament we see examples of the Holy Spirit coming upon people temporarily, but never remaining. Here, we see the Holy Spirit remains on Jesus as gently as a dove. What’s more, He will be the One to baptize others in the Holy Spirit. The same promise of the Holy Spirit resting and remaining on Jesus is available to all believers in Christ. Because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we can now be a permanent resting place for the Holy Spirit of God. Hallelujah!

We also see Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Not only that, but He’s also our Good Shepherd who leads us in the way we should go. Sheep and shepherds were quite the contrast from the two fisherman who were totally captivated by Jesus: “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter)” (v. 40-42).

When I had the pleasure of going to Israel with Ji Yun and our tour guide, Arie, Arie taught us this amazing lesson about the differences between shepherds and fisherman. He said Peter was a fisherman and fishermen aren’t particularly affectionate with the fish they catch. Far from it, fisherman catch the fish and throw it onto a heap to be cleaned and gutted. That’s it. Then they move on to the next catch.

Unlike fisherman, shepherds actually care for their sheep, come into close contact with their sheep, feed them, guide them, name them, and form an attachment to them. The sheep come to know and trust their shepherd and will only listen to their shepherd’s voice. Shepherds are far more relational than fishermen.

Jesus’ calling of the two fishermen, Andrew and Simon Peter, to be His own disciples is a beautiful symbol of how he would train and develop these two former fisherman into shepherds of His budding church.

Further, He goes on to rename Simon to “Cephas” or Peter which sounds like the Greek word for “rock.” A great cross-reference for this particular verse is found in Matthew 16:18 when Peter, divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, identifies Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Upon hearing this amazing revelation, Jesus tells Peter “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”   

This shows us that the foundation of the church is the revelation (or as I like to say the “heart knowledge”) of this amazing truth: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. A church built on this truth cannot be shaken and no power of darkness can prevail against it.

Application

Do you know in your heart that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? Or better yet, is Jesus your Christ? Have you made a commitment to accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior?

As we read from today’s scriptures, God is personal and relational. He’s not aloof or apathetic towards us. He’s the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. He didn’t take away our sin just to free us from the bondage of sin–that’s only part of the truth. He freed us from sin, so we could live a life of holiness and fellowship with Him. This is why He calls us to be holy–because He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

If you feel far or distant from God, make a commitment to accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior. If you’ve already done this but still feel like He’s far from you, take this moment to acknowledge His finished work on the cross. Remember, nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). His Love is unfailing and unrelenting. You need only to receive Him, and He’ll never let you go.

Prayer

Father God, I thank You for sending Your only begotten Son as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world, including mine. You have redeemed me and set me free from the power of sin and death. Lord Jesus, I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Holy Spirit, please help me to know and receive this truth in my heart as I confess it: “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In Jesus Name, Amen.