The next day after his conversation with the religious leaders, John saw Jesus coming toward him. This must have occurred after John baptised Jesus and after the 40 days of temptation in the wilderness. Jesus has come back to see John in his baptising work.

John declares who Jesus is and why he has come. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the whole world. John declares his destiny – his purpose – his death on the cross for the sin of humanity so that humanity and God could be reconciled. The shadow of the cross was cast over the entire ministry of Jesus. John didn’t present Jesus as a great example or wonderful teacher (though he was both of these things). Rather, John proclaimed Jesus as the sacrifice for sin, a fulfilment of the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament.

John then outlines his testimony of his baptism of Jesus. In John’s gospel, we hear about Jesus’ baptism from John the Baptist’s perspective. This account emphasises John’s role as a witness, not a baptiser. John reports that saw Spirit descend on Jesus and remain on him at his baptism. Because of what John saw, he is absolutely confident to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God. Witnesses give testimony as to what they have seen and experienced in an effort to establish the truth. John’s testimony is trustworthy and true.

As Christians, we are called to be witnesses to what we have experienced of Jesus. We can tell people what we know from the Bible, but, when we share our experiences of the grace and mercy of Jesus, it can be particularly powerful. DR

Questions

Prayer

Gracious Father, We thank you that Jesus is the Lamb of God who took away our sins on the cross and opened up the way to eternal life through his resurrection. Help us to acknowledge who Jesus is and what he has done for us in our lives, so that we can share that with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.