John 3:9-13 ESV

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

9 Sumagot si Nicodemo sa kanya, “Paanong mangyayari ang mga bagay na ito?” 10 Sumagot si Jesus sa kanya, “Ikaw ay isang guro sa Israel at hindi mo nauunawaan ang mga bagay na ito? 11 Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa iyo, kami ay nagsasalita tungkol sa nalalaman namin, at nagpapatotoo sa nakita namin, subalit hindi ninyo tinanggap ang aming patotoo. 12 Kung sinabi ko sa inyo ang mga bagay na makalupa at hindi ninyo pinaniniwalaan, paano ninyong paniniwalaan kung sabihin ko sa inyo ang mga bagay na makalangit? 13 Wala pang umakyat sa langit, maliban sa kanya na bumabang galing sa langit, ang Anak ng Tao.

HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE?

Nicodemus went to Jesus to clear his doubts. But, their talk was punctuated with a question, ‘How can these things be?” As a Pharisee, and a member of the Sanhedrin court, he was well educated, intelligent, and very interested in moral behavior. He knows the law of Moses, and the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures very well. But for him, the truth of being born again is unreasonable and illogical.

Being born again is a revealed truth but not easy to grasp and explain. Just as Mary struggled to comprehend the Incarnation of Jesus, saying, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”[Luke 1:34] Jesus’ life is enigmatic. As Paul expressed it by saying;

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated by the Spirit,

seen by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up in glory.”[1 Tim 3:16]

Jesus had recognized the struggle, saying, “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? The gospel is neither a logical idea nor philosophical concept, is it? The sacrifice of Jesus at the cross is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks. It is a revealed truth that God has revealed to finite man. How could an earthly being receive eternal things? Do you struggle to understand in order to believe? But, in the economy of God, it is to believe Him in order to understand.

Why did Jesus all the ‘signs and wonders’ before their very own eyes? It is in order to authenticate His divinity so that any man, like Nicodemus, should believe Him and His message. Jesus came down to reveal who God is. Nobody went up to heaven and came back. However, He, who is from heaven, came down for us to know God. Otherwise, we won’t know God. In other words, Jesus is the only way. [see John 14:6, Acts 4:12] They have had abundant evidences so that they should believe Him. Certainly, the problem isn’t that they can not believe but that they refuse to believe.

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John 3:1-8 ESV

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

BE BORN AGAIN.

Of all those who wondered about Jesus, only Nicodemus dared to approach Him. And he was a prominent Pharisee and a member of San Hedrin, a 70-member court. Unlike His critics, Nicodemus wasn’t antagonistic. Perhaps to avoid derision from his peers, He came clandestinely to Jesus at night to clear his doubts. He knew that Jesus power has divine origin but he wanted to confirm and know more.[see v.2]

By addressing Jesus as ‘Rabbi’, he looked at Jesus as his equals. It appears Jesus was incongruous by saying to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”[v.3] It wasn’t for he addressed his important need – to be born into God’s family.

Although Nicodemus was knowledgeable of the law, to be born from above is beyond the grasp to Nicodemus. It’s not physical rebirth as he thought. To be a child of God is a sovereign act of God. As a physical birth ushers a child to his biological family, a spiritual birth ushers us into God’s family. There must be a cleansing of water signifying the role of the Spirit. [see Titus 3:5,6]

How do we ascertain that a person is born again? As Jesus explains, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Simply put, there is a significant change in his life from the inside out. Thus Paul said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”[2 Cor 5:17].

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John 2:23-25 ESV

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

23 Nang siya ay nasa Jerusalem nang kapistahan ng Paskuwa, marami ang sumampalataya sa kanyang pangalan, nang kanilang makita ang mga ginawa niyang tanda. 24 Subalit hindi ipinagkatiwala ni Jesus ang kanyang sarili sa kanila sapagkat kilala niya ang lahat ng mga tao, 25 at hindi niya kailangan ang sinuman upang magpatotoo tungkol sa tao, sapagkat alam niya ang isinasaloob ng tao.

JESUS KNOWS ALL MEN

Extraordinary acts and signs that a person does determine his reputation, does it not? Thus, Jesus became popular by what He did. It should be noted that in John’s book are seven specific "signs," or miracles, used to demonstrate that Jesus is God.

While a lot rejected what they saw in Jesus, there were a number of people who believed in His name. However in reality, many were only interested in His miracles, not His message. There is a big difference between recognizing that something is true and putting trust in what we know. In other words, they were so fascinated and allured by His miracles but missed to believe the claim that He was the Messiah. Let’s not be fooled by such people with superficial faith for even the demons believed God but they shudder.[see Jas 2:19]

Jesus, however, couldn’t be fooled. He had a supernatural wisdom for knowing people's hearts and minds. Notedly, those who seek for miracles[signs] even if they see one won’t believe Him. They are skeptics to the core. Jesus has pointed this truth in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, that is, “And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”[Luke 16:30,31]

Thus, Paul has enjoined us to ‘examine ourselves, to see whether we are in the faith.”[2 Cor 13:5] Jesus warned us not to be hypocritical by saying, “21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ [Matt 7:21-23]

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John 2:18-22 ESV

18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

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18 Ang mga Judio ay sumagot sa kanya, “Anong tanda ang maipapakita mo sa amin sa paggawa mo ng mga bagay na ito?” 19 Sinagot sila ni Jesus, “Gibain ninyo ang templong ito at aking itatayo sa loob ng tatlong araw.” 20 Sinabi ng mga Judio, “Apatnapu't anim na taon ang pagtatayo ng templong ito, at itatayo mo sa loob ng tatlong araw?” 21 Subalit siya'y nagsasalita tungkol sa templo ng kanyang katawan. 22 Kaya't nang siya ay muling bumangon mula sa mga patay, naalala ng kanyang mga alagad na sinabi niya ito. At naniwala sila sa kasulatan at sa salitang sinabi ni Jesus.

A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY

For cleansing their lucrative business, the Jews were on retaliation mode. They confronted Jesus hoping to pin Him down, asking, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” It’s not surprising for they did this to John the Baptist, too. It’s understandable that He who acted with authority would be questioned where he got his authority.

Jesus had shown His authority by driving the scrupulous businessmen at the temple grounds. He did it in order to proclaim His authority. In other words, He confronted the religious system by His authority on purpose.

They were agitated by His answer, that is, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” They found it insulting. In fact they derided Him saying, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” Why such reaction? Jesus’ answer had implications of divinity. To build the temple, which took 46 years to finish, in three days is an impossible feat. Clearing the debris itself may take for months! To them, Jesus was a charlatan, a braggart and delusional.

Was Jesus lying?

Of course He did not! Could He who created the universe out of nothing rebuild the temple after being destroyed in three days? Could He make another miracle to prove Himself? Of course, He could. But, He has had no obligation to prove to them at the moment. His answer was in line with the purpose of God in His life.

He answered them in a metaphor, not easily fathomed by man. He was referring to His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. This was the very purpose why He came. In fact, His disciples did not understand this at this moment. Only, at hindsight did they connect the dots. As John recalled, saying, “When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”[v.22]

Moreover it was prophetic. Jesus came to substitute the temple worship with real worship. Worshiping God won’t be in a place anymore. He said, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” [John 4:23,24]

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John 2:13-17 ESV

13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

13 Malapit na noon ang Paskuwa ng mga Judio, at umahon si Jesus patungo sa Jerusalem. 14 Natagpuan niya sa templo ang mga nagtitinda ng mga baka, mga tupa, mga kalapati, at ang mga nagpapalit ng salapi na nakaupo. 15 Gumawa siya mula sa mga lubid ng isang panghagupit at itinaboy niya silang lahat papalabas sa templo kasama ang mga tupa at mga baka. Ibinuhos din niya ang salapi ng mga mamamalit, at itinaob ang kanilang mga mesa. 16 Sa mga nagtitinda ng mga kalapati ay sinabi niya, “Alisin ninyo rito ang mga bagay na ito; huwag ninyong gawing bahay-pamilihan ang bahay ng aking Ama.” 17 Naalala ng kanyang mga alagad na nasusulat, “Ang sigasig para sa iyong bahay ang tutupok sa akin.”

HIS ZEAL FOR THE HOUSE

Passover and other feasts had to be observed in Jerusalem. Hence, animals for sacrifices such as sheep, oxen, and lambs, as well as doves were of common use in the temple. The men selling them might have started out with good intentions. Pilgrims who came from afar to offer sacrifices needed not to bring these animals necessarily. Moreover, they can bring their money currency with them for offering also. Money-changing services were available, as well. These services were much needed to efficiently and effectively support the feast and temple sacrifices.

Sadly, the focus seems to have shifted to profit, more than just service. Slowly but surely, this wanton business had moved closer in front of the temple. This syndicate was sanctioned by the religious leaders who had benefited and enriched themselves. Consequently, the temple grounds had been turned into a busy marketplace. Prayer and worship of God were set aside. This evil was hard to address to for it was hidden under the cloak of religion. Using the name of God for selfish ends is a grievous sin.

No sinful lifestyle happens overnight. It’s allowing the spiritual erosions until the inevitable collapse occur. A traveler on a camel decided to stay in his tent for the night in the middle of the desert. As the temperature dopdded, the camel begged the traveler to let her head stick into his tent. He consented. Then he allowed his neck. When the morning breaks, the camel was inside the tent while the traveler was outside.

This act of driving the businessmen away portrayed Jesus’ "zeal" for the house of God. Contrary to the soft and mild mannered image, Jesus showed was capable of forceful actions, righteous anger, and confrontation when it was necessary. Notedly, he wasn’t in an uncontrollable outrage. He even made His own whip and there were no men and animals hurt. Fearlessly, He even referred these men as "robbers" (see Luke 19:46) for they robbed the glory of God. He was willing to defy the local civil laws which were flawed, for reason that He should respect the Higher law. The disciples were reminded of Psa 69:9 when they saw their passionate master.

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John 2:1-11 ESV

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

KEEPING THE GOOD WINE UNTIL NOW.

This is the first miracle Jesus did when He started His public ministry. And, it was in a wedding of an unnamed couple at Cana, Galilee, wherein He, his mother and disciples were invited. And a crisis happened that during the reception, the wine ran out.

There are no apparent reasons why. But, in an Oriental wedding, it could be embarrassing to the new couple and their parents that some honored guests would be dissatisfied. The recent wedding reception fiasco in Cebu was unthinkable that the couple was scammed so that there was no wedding reception after all.

The crisis was noticed by Mary, who approached Jesus to help the couple. Jesus’ answer wasn’t disrespectful in the capacity that He was focusing in His divinity. He isn’t on panic mode so that His time to help should be in God’s time.

Mary discreetly adviced the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” It was very crucial for them to obey Jesus by faith in order that a miracle would happen. What was available nearby were six stone jars used for ceremonial washing. Jews cleansed their hands, cups, and vessels with water before meals. Each large pot held from 20 to 30 gallons. A lesson learned is that Jesus could use what is available like the lunch of the boy that fed 5,000.

Jesus told the servants to fill these jars with water. He ordered them to draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet, who was in charge of food and drink. The master was unaware of Jesus' turning the water in the jars into wine.

Astounded, the steward took the bride and groom aside and complimented them. Most couples served the best wine first, he said, then brought out cheaper wine after the guests had too much to drink and would not notice. "You have saved the best till now," he told them (John 2:10, NIV).

With Christ in this wedding, a crisis has turned into a commendation. Jesus had made the difference so that the end was better than the beginning. The problem became a platform of Jesus’ glory. And the only key is obedience to Him. Simply said, if Jesus is obeyed, our lives could become a miracle from nothing to something significant and a blessing.

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John 1:43-51 ESV

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

I SAW YOU

As Jesus walked through Galilee, he personally met and invited Philip to come on board and follow Him. Philip, Peter and Andrew are townmates from Bethsaida. Philip told Nathaniel [also called Bartholomew] that he found the Messiah. He said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Definitely, Philip knew the Scriptures and was certain that Jesus was the Anointed One.

Yet Nathaniel doubted, saying, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Indeed, there is doubt as an expression of pure skepticism. But Nathaniel doubted yet he was open to learn the truth. And the best way to clear his doubts was to meet Jesus personally himself. He went to Jesus with Philip after he was encouraged by Philip to ‘Come and see.”

The Lord Jesus had proven Philip to be right. Jesus told Nathaniel that He had known him already before this meeting. How can that be? ‘How do you know me?’, Nathaniel asked. He is omniscient or all knowing. [see John 2:24] Nathaniel was so surprised that Jesus knew him as a man of integrity, that is free from deceit and hypocrisy.

Did Nathaniel insult Jesus and the place he grew up, Nazareth? Not really. For Matthew wrote, “And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.” [Mat 2:23] Interestingly, the Hebrew word for "branch" is netzer, which is spelled NZR, same as "Nazareth." "Nazareth" means "branch" in Hebrew! Jesus shall be called the "Righteous Branch" - "He shall be called a Nazarene." [see Jer 23:5-6; Zech 3:8-10]

Having ascertained about who Jesus was, Nathaniel worshiped Him, saying “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Thus, Jesus has promised Him the blessing to “see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” In other words, it was this initial encounter with the Messiah that introduced Him into the journey of knowing Christ more. It wasn’t the end but the beginning of knowing Jesus more. May, we won’t loss our wonder and awe of Jesus as we continue our journey with Him.

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John 1:40-42 ESV

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).

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40 Ang isa sa dalawang nakarinig ng pagsasalita ni Juan, at sumunod sa kanya, ay si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro.41 Una niyang natagpuan ang kanyang kapatid na si Simon, at sa kanya'y sinabi, “Natagpuan na namin ang Mesiyas”—na kung isasalin ay Cristo.42 Kanyang dinala si Simon kay Jesus. Siya'y tiningnan ni Jesus at sinabi, “Ikaw ay si Simon na anak ni Juan. Tatawagin kang Cefas”—(na kung isasalin ang kahulugan ay Pedro.)

WE HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAH.

One of the two disciples of John the Baptist who went to Jesus was Andrew. Immediately, he did the most ‘brotherly act’ of bringing him to Jesus. What could be better than our siblings becoming a follower of Jesus? Peter, later, became the leader of the apostles. As Archimedes who shouted ‘Eureka!’ upon discovering the law of buoyancy, Andrew’s joy was uncontainable. I believe that he and others were constantly told or reminded by John the Baptist about the Messiah and His coming.

The first thing that Jesus did to Simon was to change his name to Cephas [Peter]. His name means ‘rock’. Its significance was revealed later by Jesus who reiterated His plan to build His church, saying, “And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 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.”[Matt 16:17,18].

A true encounter with Jesus won’t make a person the same. Some people are informed about Jesus so that they have only a mental assent to Him. But, He desires transformation in us. It could only happen when there is true repentance and trust to Jesus and His finished work at Calvary. A nominal believer is as the ground that receive the word but there is no deepening of the roots for beneath the thin layer of soil is the bedrock. Whereas, the true believer is known by his fruits. It’s the life having been rooted truly in God is changing, that is becoming fruitful. Did not the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes multiply when placed at the hands of Jesus. An unconsecrated life is an unchanged life. As Paul has admonished us, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”[Col 2:6,7]

Today, have you found the Messiah? IfI hope you are in Christ, your life is transformed in Him?

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John 1:35-39 ESV

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.

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35 Kinabukasan, muling naroon si Juan kasama ng dalawa sa kanyang mga alagad. 36 At kanyang tiningnan si Jesus samantalang siya'y naglalakad at sinabi, “Narito ang Kordero ng Diyos!” 37 Narinig siya ng dalawang alagad na nagsalita nito, at sila'y sumunod kay Jesus. 38 Paglingon ni Jesus at nakita silang sumusunod ay sinabi niya sa kanila, “Ano ang inyong hinahanap?” At sinabi nila sa kanya, “Rabi (na kung isasalin ang kahulugan ay Guro), saan ka nakatira?” 39 Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Halikayo at tingnan ninyo.” Pumunta nga sila at nakita kung saan siya nakatira; at sila'y nanatiling kasama niya nang araw na iyon. Noon ang oras ay mag-iikasampu.

COME AND YOU WILL SEE.

Definitely, the success of John the Baptist’s ministry was to introduce and influence his disciples to follow Christ. Here, two of them [one is Andrew] did not hesitate leave him in order to follow Jesus. Real success in discipleship is in making others draw closer to Jesus, not on us. No doubt, John the Baptist was popular among people because of his odd ministry but he was willing to fade from the limelight. Are we willing to be obscure towards others if only others will become loyal and faithful to Christ alone?

Jesus knows every heart [John 2;24], yet He asked, “What are you seeking?” Why? It was more for them to check their motives. Were they willing to follow Him at all cost? Their desire to seek where Jesus was staying wasn’t asking for information per se. It expressed their intention to stay with Him. Jesus had no permanent address much nomadic. The fox and birds are better for having holes and nests, respectively.

Seeing the purity of their motives, Jesus had invited them, saying, “Come and you will see. “But, was there something like a house or dwelling to see? Was Jesus bluffing them since he has no place to stay? Apparently, it was a calling for a relationship. Unless they come and stay, they won’t see who He is. That, if they would follow Him wherever He is, they would know ‘the Lamb of God’ in a more intimate way. This began their three year of exciting adventure or journey with the “Lamb of God” who is also the “Son of God”.

Today, Christ has ben calling us. Have we committed as yet to journey with Him?

Today, what are we seeking in Christ? Have we committed?

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John 1:29-34 ESV

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.”

29 Kinabukasan, nakita ni Juan si Jesus na lumalapit sa kanya, at kanyang sinabi, “Narito ang Kordero ng Diyos, na nag-aalis ng kasalanan ng sanlibutan! 30 Siya yaong aking sinasabi, ‘Kasunod ko'y dumarating ang isang lalaki na higit pa sa akin, sapagkat siya'y nauna sa akin. 31 Hindi ko siya nakilala, dahil dito'y naparito ako na nagbabautismo sa tubig upang siya'y mahayag sa Israel.” 32 Nagpatotoo si Juan, “Nakita ko ang Espiritu na bumababang tulad sa isang kalapati na buhat sa langit at dumapo sa kanya. 33 Hindi ko siya nakilala subalit ang nagsugo sa akin upang magbautismo sa tubig ay nagsabi sa akin, ‘Ang nakita mong babaan ng Espiritu at manatili sa kanya, ay siya ang nagbabautismo sa Espiritu Santo.’ 34 Aking nakita at pinatotohanan kong ito ang Anak ng Diyos.”

BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD

When John the Baptist has declared Jesus’ as the ‘Lamb of God’, it has an allusion to the Passover lamb. Lambs were required as a yearly passover sacrifice for all Jewish families. This holiday looked back to the days of Moses, when lambs' blood covered the doors of Israel, and allowed God's judgment to "pass over" them (Ex 12:22–23). Wasn’t Jesus crucified as the lamb that ‘bear the sins of many’ [Isa 53:6]

Jesus is described as the one who "existed before John," an allusion to His divinity. Having been born 6 months earlier, John was unequivocal to ascribe that Jesus has existed before he did, for He is God (John 1:1). Simply said, Jesus is eternal.

John did confirm Jesus only when the Spirit alighted upon Him during His water baptism. He saw a vision of a dove, representative of the Holy Spirit, "remaining" on Jesus. For him, this attested that Jesus was the Messiah, without any doubt. The word "testify or witness" is from a very specific term meaning "giving information one has direct personal knowledge of." Moreover, Jesus has not done miracles yet to confirm that He was the Messiah.

May the manifestation of the Spirit’s work be seen in and through our lives. The Spirit do confirm our authenticity and authority. Resultingly, this revelation has marked the beginning of Jesus public ministry.

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