October 25, 2024 -- John 1:29 -- Truly taking a second, penetrating, look toword Jesus

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,
“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29 ESV

What a statement for Jesus’s cousin, John the Baptist, to make. John was the forerunner of Jesus. He was preparing the people for the message Jesus brings. Notice the weight of what John told them, and by way of the Spirit’s preservation of Scripture, what his words continue to teach today.

Look to Jesus. That is what behold means. That words calls on the listener to focus his or her attention on what is coming next. It is important, significant. John called on people then and now to look to Jesus—really consider Who He Is. Look away from your sin. Look away from your practices of evil. Look away from what is not-sinful, turn from what is merely okay, and truly consider Jesus, in Whom is all perfection. In view of Who He is, our need for Him becomes so clear. 

He is the Lamb of God. All the Old Testament is now drawn together into the focal point of Jesus. All the rivers of blood, sacrifices of lambs and goats, bulls and oxen, are now ended. There is one, final, perfect sacrifice, the One upon Whom all sins are punished. The wrath of God is turned aside. That is powerfully comforting, that is the Good News of the Bible. No other sacrifice will do. No other power can erase your sins.

He takes away your sin. This is a comforting sentiment, but it is mere mushy emotionalism if you do not realize that Jesus’s atoning work heals people who are in community with Him as well. You can not claim Christ as my-chain-breaker, Who has carried away my sins, and then turn around and have an unforgiving heart towards others. Jesus works in and through and among community. If you are harboring unforgiveness in your heart, then you have not beheld Him, Who takes away the sin of the world. You are instead beholding your own interests and your own selfishness. You have made yourself a small, puny, tyrannical god.

The evidence of Jesus’s soul saving work is the fruit it brings in your life. When you know, in the very bowels of your being know, that you are forgiven, then you have such a light-heartedness, such exuberance that you are compelled to share His goodness with your best friend and your worst enemy. It is costly forgiveness. Jesus shed His blood on the cross, it was only by His nail pierced hands and feet, and sword-wounded body, taking away the sin of the world, that is your confident basis for faith that you are forgiven in Him.

When you forgiven, you are digging deep into the wounds of Christ. Forgiveness you offer to another comes from the inexhaustible storehouse of Jesus’s treasures of mercy, love, forgiveness, keeping no record of wrongs against you. You, who expect to be forgiven, forgive. It is the evidence that you have truly been forgiven. And you will find a peace that passes understanding as you have canceled the record of wrongs others have committed against you, you realize at a deeper, more intimate level of your own life, the debts of wrong and the graphic sins which in Christ have been forgiven you.

Father in heaven, by Your Spirit’s life-bringing work within us, empower us so that I lift our eyes from our selfishness and haughty-self-focused inclinations and truly with the eyes of faith behold Jesus. As Your people we ask You to help us to forgive as fully as we ourselves have been fully forgiven in Jesus’s Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/OqG_iQwqEOE?si=MgTfegTkk4kPeyH5 Forgive our Sing As We Forgive

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