Behold The Lamb

Passage

Jhn 1.19-34

Intro

Imagine being John and having been told your whole life long about your birth story…

Crowds were coming from everywhere to see John the Baptist. His preaching was powerful, his influence was growing, and people were asking a big question:

“Who are you?”

Was he the Messiah? A prophet? The long-awaited deliverer?

In a moment when most people would have embraced the spotlight, John did something surprising—he stepped out of it.

He said, in essence: “I’m not the one you’re looking for.”

Big Idea

Faithful ministry is not about drawing attention to ourselves but about clearly pointing people to Jesus—the Spirit-anointed Son of God and sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

1. A Faithful Witness Knows Who He Is.

John 1:19–23 ESV

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Text Summary

Priests and Levites ask John, “Who are you?”

John answers by first stating who he is not:

Not the Christ

Not Elijah

Not the Prophet

He identifies himself as “a voice crying in the wilderness” (Isaiah 40:3).

His role is preparation, not prominence.

Key Truth

A faithful witness understands his identity and limits. John is a voice, not the Word.

Cross References

John 3:30 “30 He must increase, but I must decrease.””

 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

1 Corinthians 3:6–7 “6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

 – Servants plant and water, but God gives growth

Illustration

Airport Signs

When you arrive at an airport, signs point you to baggage claim, exits, or gates. The sign is not the destination—it simply points the way.

John understood his life was a signpost pointing to Christ.

Application

Know who you are NOT: you are not the Savior.

Know who you ARE: a witness pointing people to Jesus.

Guard against making ministry, church, or reputation about yourself.

A healthy Christian identity says:

“My life exists to point people to Christ.”

Transition

Once John makes clear who he is not, he boldly declares who Jesus is.

2. A Faithful Witness Knows Who Jesus Is.

John 1:24–30 ESV

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 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.’

Text Summary

John shifts attention away from himself to Jesus:

John declares who Jesus is:

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

The Meaning of “Lamb of God”

John’s statement connects several Old Testament images:

The Lamb of Provision

Genesis 22:7–8 “7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.”

 – God provides the lamb for Abraham

The Passover Lamb

Exodus 12:1–13 – Blood of the lamb protects from judgment

The Suffering Lamb

Isaiah 53:7 “7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

 – The servant led like a lamb to slaughter

Jesus fulfills them all.

Key Truth

Jesus is the substitute sacrifice who removes sin.

Cross References

Romans 5:9 “9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”

 – Justified by His blood

1 Peter 1:18–19 “18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”

 – The spotless Lamb

Illustration

Lion vs. Lamb

Many people want Jesus to be a lion for their problems— someone who fixes circumstances.

But what we actually need first is a lamb for our sin.

Before Jesus conquers our enemies, He must conquer our Hearts

Before the crown comes the cross.

Application

Ask yourself:

Do I see Jesus mainly as a helper or as my substitute Savior?

Does my life reflect gratitude for the Lamb who took my sin?

A faithful witness must clearly know and proclaim:

Jesus is the Lamb who takes away sin.

Transition

But John’s testimony does not only reside within his heart and mind.

John shares this truth with those who are willing to hear.

3. A Faithful Witness Fulfills His Mission.

John 1:31–34 ESV

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.”

Text Summary

John describes the moment at Jesus’ baptism:

The Spirit descends like a dove

The Spirit remains on Him

John declares:

“I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

John fulfills his mission by testifying to what God revealed.

Key Truth

Faithful witnesses point people to Christ based on what God has revealed, not themselves.

Cross References

Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

 – You will be my witnesses

2 Corinthians 5:20 “20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

- We are ambassadors for Christ

2 Corinthians 5:18 “18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;”

- we have been given the work of reconciliation

1 Corinthians 2:10–13 “10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God… 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”

- what has been revealed to us shall now be revealed by us to others !!

Illustration

Courtroom Witness

In a courtroom, a witness does not invent a story. They simply say:

“This is what I saw.”

John’s testimony is exactly that:

“I saw the Spirit descend.” “I have testified that this is the Son of God.”

Christian witness works the same way.

We simply testify to who Jesus is and what He has done.

Application

Every believer has the same mission:

Bear witness to Christ

Point others to the Lamb

Testify to what God has done

You may not preach sermons, but you are still a witness.

Ask yourself:

Who in my life needs to hear about Jesus?

Am I pointing people to Christ through my words and life?

Conclusion

John’s life teaches us three truths about being a faithful witness:

Know who you are– a voice pointing to Christ.

Know who Jesus is– the Lamb who takes away sin.

Fulfill your mission– testify to the Son of God.

John’s entire ministry can be summarized in one command:

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Group Questions

1. In John 1:19–23, the priests and Levites repeatedly ask John who he is. Why do you think John begins by explaining who he is not before explaining who he is?

2. John identifies himself as “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” (Isaiah 40:3). What does this tell us about John’s role in God’s plan?

3. In John 1:29, John calls Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” What Old Testament events or images might this phrase have reminded the Jewish audience of?

4. According to John 1:32–34, what evidence did John give to support his claim that Jesus is the Son of God?

5. Why do you think John emphasizes Jesus as the Lamb rather than a king, teacher, or miracle worker? What does this reveal about humanity’s greatest need?

6. John says he is not even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals (1:27). What does this statement teach us about humility and the greatness of Christ?

7. The Spirit descended and remained on Jesus (1:32–33). Why is this significant in light of how the Spirit worked in the Old Testament?

8. The sermon emphasized that a faithful witness knows who he is not and who he is. In what ways are people today tempted to make life or ministry about themselves rather than about Christ?

9. John’s entire ministry pointed people to Jesus. What are practical ways believers today can point others to Christ in everyday life?

10. John declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” What does it look like personally to behold Jesus—to keep Him central in your faith, worship, and daily life?