Second Sunday after the Epiphany (2026)

Identity Revealed – Part 2

Jesus, The Lamb of God

Colossians 2:6–15 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 49:1–6; John 1:29–41

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We live in a world that constantly asks the question of identity: Who are you? What defines you? What gives you worth?

And the world doesn’t just ask—it answers—often loudly, sometimes subtly, always insistently: Build your identity here, and you’ll finally be secure.

Epiphany cuts through all of that noise. Epiphany reveals Christ. And when Christ is revealed, we begin to see our own identity rightly as well.

Last week, on the Baptism of Our Lord, we stood at the Jordan River. We watched Jesus step into the waters—not because He needed cleansing, but because we did. The Father declared, “This is My beloved Son.” Jesus is revealed as the Christ, the Anointed One, standing where sinners stand.

This week, that revelation continues. John the Baptist points and announces:

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

And today’s question is simple, but life-changing: What does it mean for you that Jesus is the Lamb of God?

1. The Problem: We Drift—Either into Self-Reliance or Complacency

St. Paul begins with a Gospel fact:

“As you received Christ Jesus the Lord…”

You received Him. Christianity begins with receiving—not achieving. Not deciding.

But then Paul immediately adds:

“so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith…”

Here’s our struggle.

Even as Christians, we often live as though the final verdict still depends on us. We know Christ died for our sins, but we act as if God’s approval must still be maintained by our progress, our consistency, our effort; or our obedience.

—When we fail, we despair. —When we do well, we quietly trust ourselves.

But there’s another danger too.

Sometimes we live as though faith no longer needs attention—as if salvation were something we received once, and then we’re locked in. A quiet “once saved, always saved” mentality settles in—not as confident faith in Christ, but as spiritual drift.

And Paul refuses to allow either error.

2. What It Means to “Walk in Him”

When Paul says, “walk in Him,” he is not talking about behavior modification.

He is talking about faithfulness in believing.

To walk in Christ means to remain steadfast in Christ—to continue and grow in that relationship of faith in Him that God has bestowed upon you. “Walk in Him” is maturity language:

Rooted.

Built up.

Firm.

Established.

Being “in Christ” is not a religious mood. It is having saving faith—a living trust that clings to Christ alone.

And saving faith is not something you manufacture.

It is created and strengthened through God’s Means of Grace—through the Gospel proclaimed, through Holy Baptism, through the Lord’s Supper that is received.

So walking in Him means returning again and again to where Christ promises to give Himself:

hearing…

receiving…

trusting…

being strengthened.

And yes—when faith is rooted in Christ, faithful conduct follows. Fruit will come. But the root is always Christ.

I was talking with a Pastor friend the other day who serves a church in another state. He mentioned that unless his congregation does something they will not exist in five years.

I reminded him that this is how the world measures things. Then I encouraged him to continue to be faithful in teaching and in administering the sacraments. God will take care of the rest. God is always faithful. Our problem is we start focusing on other things rather than what God has given us to do.

3. The Threat: “Traditions of Men” That Add to Christ

That’s why Paul warns so strongly in verse 8:

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to human tradition… and not according to Christ.”

In Colossae, false teachings were everywhere. Some were pagan. Some were mystical. And yes, some were Jewish teachers insisting that circumcision was still required—as though faith in Christ began salvation, but something else had to be added to complete it.

But Paul’s concern is so much bigger. The “traditions of men” include anything that sounds religious but shifts the heart away from Christ.

Christ plus effort. Christ plus rules. Christ plus improvement. Christ plus something else.

In some circles we may hear something like, “If you want God to bless you…” or, “If you want to please God…” you should do the following.

My point is: the moment Christ becomes part of salvation instead of the whole, peace disappears—because now the burden is back on you.

4. Gospel Certainty: Indicatives Before Imperatives

So Paul answers this temptation—not with self-help— but with Gospel fact upon Gospel fact.

He stacks up verbs which declare what has already transpired—statements of reality, if you will—like stones in a fortress wall.

You have received Christ Jesus the Lord. The fullness of Deity does dwells bodily in Him. He is the Head over all rule and authority. You have been filled in Him. You were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands. You were raised with Him. He made you alive with Him. He took out of the way the record of debt. He made a public display of the powers—triumphing over them by the cross.

Do you hear it?

Done. Done. Done. Done. Done.

God has gone to extraordinary lengths to make one thing clear: Nothing needs to be done for your salvation that hasn’t already been done—fully and completely—in Christ. Nothing needs to be added.

And that is why Paul’s command makes perfect sense:

“As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”

He is not saying, “Walk in Him so you may finally become complete.”

He is saying, “Because you are complete in Him—now live as one who belongs to Him.”

5. Fullness in Christ, is seeing Him as The Lamb of God

Paul says:

“For in Him the whole fullness of Deity dwells bodily…”

All the fullness of God is in Jesus—bodily, personally, permanently. That is, everything we know about God: who He is, His almighty power, His sovereignty—all things—are found in Christ Jesus.

And then Paul says this:

“and you have been filled in Him.”

—Not “you might be.” —Not “you will be, if you add more.” —But: you have been filled in Him.

This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Not the Lamb who starts the process. The Lamb who finishes it.

6. The Circumcision of Christ: Buried and Raised with Christ

Then Paul adds the following:

“In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands… the circumcision of Christ…”

He is not taking outward ritual. He is not talking about human work.

This is our sinful nature being put off—cut away—put to death.

And Paul tells us where and how this happened.

“having been buried with Him in Baptism…”

Buried. That’s not a symbol. That is death language.

In Baptism, God joins you to Christ’s death.

And then he says:

“you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

The same God who raised Jesus from the dead has acted for you. He has given you new life.

So your identity is not hanging in midair. It is anchored in Christ’s death and resurrection—delivered to you personally by God’s promise.

When the world wants to define you, it sends you inward: Try harder. Feel more. Prove yourself.

But God does not define you by what you do.

God defines you by what Jesus has done.

In Baptism, God places His verdict over you: forgiven… cleansed… buried with Christ… raised with Christ… complete in Him.

So when the accusation come, faith does not look inward. Faith looks to Christ and says: God has acted for me. I belong to Jesus.

Conclusion: Identity Revealed, Identity Secured

Epiphany reveals Jesus.

At the Jordan River, He is revealed as the beloved Son. Also at the Jordan John the Baptist reveals Him as the Lamb of God. At the cross, Jesus is revealed as the Lamb who bears our sin. And in His resurrection, He is revealed as the victorious Lord.

And today, God reveals your identity in Him:

Not unfinished. Not lacking. Not waiting for something more.

You are Complete in Christ.

So now:

“As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”

Rooted.

Built up.

Established.

Not in yourself— but in Christ alone.

And dear saints, as we come today to receive His body and blood, you are given one more Epiphany revelation. Not merely to think about. Not merely to remember. But to receive.

(gesture toward the Communion elements on the altar)

Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers of the Church

Second Sunday after Epiphany Series: Identity Revealed (Part 2) – Jesus, the Lamb of God

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Lord God, heavenly Father, You have revealed Your Son as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Root us and build us up in Him, that we may walk in Christ by steadfast faith, not being taken captive by false teachings or empty deception, but living as those made alive in Christ through His cross and resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the Church and her ministers, that the Gospel of Christ crucified would be proclaimed with clarity and boldness; that sinners would be brought to repentance and faith; and that Christ’s sheep would be strengthened through the faithful administration of Word and Sacrament. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For our congregation, that the Holy Spirit would establish us in the faith we have received; grant us hunger for God’s Word, joy in His promises, and thankful hearts that confess Jesus alone as our righteousness, our peace, and our salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all who are preparing to receive the Lord’s Supper this day, that we would come in repentance and faith, trusting the words of Christ, discerning His body and blood rightly, and receiving this holy gift for the forgiveness of sins, for strength in faith, and for comfort in every trial. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the nations of the world, and for our leaders, that You would grant wisdom, justice, and restraint; that You would protect the innocent, curb violence and evil, and guide those in authority to govern in ways that promote peace and uphold what is right. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those who suffer in body or mind, for the sick, the hospitalized, the homebound, and all who carry heavy burdens—especially those battling cancer and enduring difficult treatments—grant healing according to Your will, patience in suffering, and the sure comfort of Christ, who has taken away our sin and conquered death. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Special petition for Muriel Poole, who is now in hospice care: Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, be near to Muriel. Give her peace, relieve her pain, and uphold her with Your promises. Let her rest in the certainty that her record of debt has been taken away at the cross, and that nothing can separate her from Your love. Grant strength and comfort also to all who care for her and keep watch with her in these days. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all who grieve, especially those mourning the death of loved ones: gracious Father, comfort them with the sure hope of the resurrection. Keep them from despair, and turn their eyes to Christ, who has conquered death and pledged that all who belong to Him will live also. Strengthen them with Your Word, sustain them by Your Spirit, and surround them with the care of Your people. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those facing anxiety, discouragement, or spiritual attack, that they would not look inward for certainty, but cling to Christ alone—the One in whom all the fullness of God dwells, and in whom we are made complete. Establish them in faith and grant them confidence in Your Gospel. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For our families, children, and youth, that You would guard them from deception, strengthen them in pure doctrine, and grant that they would grow into mature faith, rooted and built up in Christ, rejoicing to confess Him before the world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all vocational callings among us, that You would bless our daily work and service; and as those who have received Christ and walk in Him, grant that our faith would bear fruit in love toward our neighbors, to the glory of Your holy name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we commend to You all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Amen.