Come and See

Beholding the Lamb: A Call to Deeper Faith

Bible Passage: John 1:29-42

Summary: In John 1:29-42, John the Baptist points out Jesus as the Lamb of God, leading his disciples to encounter Jesus personally, thus illustrating the transformative power of truly seeing and knowing Christ.

Application: This passage teaches that when we truly behold Jesus and recognize Him as the Lamb of God, we are compelled to move beyond our comfort zones and into a deeper relationship with Him, impacting our walk of faith and calling us to share this encounter with others.

Teaching: The sermon will communicate that true recognition of Jesus demands a response—whether that means following Him, sharing the gospel, or deepening our relationship with Him. It emphasizes that recognizing Jesus as the Lamb of God is not just an intellectual acknowledgment but a transformative experience.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage highlights Christ as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial system and foreshadowing His atoning death. Throughout Scripture, the theme of Jesus as the Lamb connects to the Passover sacrifice, showing God's redemptive plan threaded throughout the entire narrative of the Bible.

Big Idea: Encountering Jesus as the Lamb of God calls us to a deeper faith and invites us to share that light with others, inevitably changing our direction and purpose in life.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the implications of the title 'Lamb of God' in both Old and New Testaments using your Logos library. Look into the connections between John's ministry and the Passover lamb to clarify John's theological intent. Engage with commentaries that discuss the historical and cultural significance of first-century Jewish expectations of the Messiah, as well as any challenges faced by the early followers in understanding their new faith.

1. Behold the Lamb's Identity

John 1:29-34

Begin by illustrating how John's declaration of Jesus as the "Lamb of God" connects with the Old Testament sacrificial system, specifically the Passover Lamb. You could highlight the significance of Jesus being identified in such a pivotal way for salvation and redemption. Explain how this recognition is foundational for Christian faith and how it should compel us to consider the gravity of Jesus' sacrificial mission. Perhaps share how our acknowledgment of this title necessitates a genuine transformation in our approach to faith.

2. Begin to Follow Him

John 1:35-39

Next, transition into how John's disciples respond to his announcement by following Jesus. Perhaps stress that true recognition of Christ invites action—it moves us from simply seeing to actively following. This passage powerfully underscores the idea that once we truly recognize Jesus, we are drawn to seek Him more intimately. Consider encouraging the congregation to ponder what following Jesus more closely looks like in their lives and to take practical steps toward deeper discipleship.

3. Bring Others to Jesus

John 1:40-42

Conclude with Andrew's response, bringing his brother Simon (Peter) to Jesus. Maybe show how encountering Christ naturally leads to sharing Him with others. Andrew's immediate action to bring someone else to Jesus can be a catalyst for us to reflect on whether our encounters with Christ inspire us to share His light and love. Suggest practical ways to witness and help others experience Jesus' transformative power, emphasizing that our personal encounters are meant to ripple out to others.

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“Behold the Lamb: Come and See”

John 1:29–42

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our gospel reading today begins with a moment of clarity.

John the Baptist looks up, sees Jesus approaching, and declares, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

That single sentence carries the weight of Scripture.

John is not offering a poetic nickname. He is naming Jesus in a way that reaches all the way back to the story of God’s people—to the Passover lamb, to sacrifice and deliverance, to blood on doorposts and freedom from bondage.

By calling Jesus the Lamb of God, John is saying: This is the One. This is God’s answer to sin, brokenness, and separation. This is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.

Faith begins here—not with our effort, not with our understanding, but with recognition. Before anyone follows Jesus… before anyone commits… before anyone serves… Jesus is first revealed.

1. Behold the Lamb’s Identity

(John 1:29–34)

John points. He does not point to himself, his ministry, or his success. He points to Jesus.

“Behold,” he says. Look closely. Pay attention.

To behold the Lamb of God is more than acknowledging a title—it is recognizing the cost of love.

Jesus is not revealed as a conqueror, but as a sacrifice. Not as one who avoids suffering, but as one who enters it for the sake of the world.

That recognition demands something of us. If Jesus is truly the Lamb of God, then faith cannot remain casual or convenient. It reshapes how we understand forgiveness, grace, and the depth of God’s love.

2. Begin to Follow Him

(John 1:35–39)

After John speaks, something subtle but powerful happens: his disciples begin to follow Jesus.

They don’t yet know where this path will lead. They don’t have answers. They don’t even know what to ask.

They simply follow.

And when they ask Jesus where He is staying, He gives them the simplest invitation imaginable: “Come and see.”

That is how discipleship begins—not with certainty, but with curiosity. Not with perfection, but with presence.

That is what baptism proclaims. Before we can speak for ourselves, God speaks over us: You are mine.

That is what membership reflects. A willingness to walk the journey of faith in community, trusting that Christ meets us along the way.

Faith is not static. To recognize Jesus is to be drawn toward Him—to move from seeing… to following.

3. Bring Others to Jesus

(John 1:40–42)

Then Andrew does something beautifully ordinary. He goes and finds his brother Simon.

He doesn’t argue theology. He doesn’t explain everything. He simply says, “We have found the Messiah.” And he brings him to Jesus.

That is how the gospel spreads—not through programs alone, but through personal encounter.

When we truly meet Christ, we cannot help but want others to experience that same grace. This is why service matters. Why ministry matters. Why volunteering matters.

Whether through caring ministries, welcoming families, nurturing health, or supporting one another in faith—our encounters with Christ are never meant to stop with us.

Living the Invitation

Epiphany reminds us that Christ is still being revealed— in water poured, in vows spoken, in hands extended, in lives offered.

Today we are not just hearing the story. We are living it.

We behold the Lamb. We follow where He leads. And we bring others with us.

Thanks be to God. Amen.