Behold, the Lamb

It’s been hard to get into the Christmas Spirit, probably because of the heat.

But one thing that always gets me into the holiday spirit is Christmas music. (preach end with Kirk)

1. Sacrificial Lamb

John sees Jesus coming to himself, and he commands the attention of those present to consider and behold Jesus as the Lamb of God. In order to fully appreciate the designation of Jesus as the “Lamb of God” we must first go back to the beginning.

Genesis 3 -Eden’s animal covering

Gen 22- Abraham’s ram

2. Superior than others

John has to inform these people that Jesus is greater than he is and therefor greater than all. That even though John has identified himself as the Messiah’s forerunner, he is not the man you are looking for(Preach).

He is Superior than me- John does not hesitate to elevate Jesus over himself.

He existed in eternity past with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

• Abraham land…Jesus is the promise

• Jacob…mediatior

• Judah would come a ruler of peace…Jesus is prince of peace

• Joseph’s endless supply.

• Moses Word made flesh

• Commander of Joshua’s army

• Sampson’s Strength

• Ruth’s Kinsmen redeemer

• Samuel’s Voice at night

• David’s Lamb

• Solomon’s wisdom

• Ezrah priest

• Neheiah’s wall

• Ether’s intercessor before the king

• Isaiah’s coming Messiah

• He’s the fire in Jeremiahs bones

• He’s the wheel in the middle of Ezekiel’s wheel

• He’s Daniel’s Ancient of Days

• He’s the Answer to Habakkuk’s question

• He’s Zechariah’s Angel of the Lord

• He’s Haggi’s Glory

• He’s Matthew’s Messiah

• Mark’s miracle worker

• Luke’s Suffering Servant

• John’s Word made flesh

• Mary’s baby

• Paul’s Justifier

• Peter’s Pastoral example

• James’ wisdom

• Harriet’s north start

• WEB Debois’s Soul in Black folk

• Martin Luther Kings dream

• Google’s top search result

• Amazon’s Prime

• He is Jesus.

“I did not recognize him” he was my little cousin, but I didn’t see him.

To make him manifest to Israel-His mission as a prophet is to point to Jesus who is greater than he is. Everything we do in ministry and life should point to Jesus who is greater.

3. Spirit Baptizer

John the Baptist is doing what God called him to do. He is preaching the kingdom of God and baptising and as many would come are being dipped in the Jordan river to show that they are forgiven of their sins. That the way the were went through the waters of the Red sea to be delivered from Pharaoh's army, they here are symbolically being delivered from their sins. But, Jesus is unique in that he does not symbolically for give sins, he spiritually forgives them.

4. Son of God

Now John gets personal. Now he gets a little emotional. He has already admitted in v.31 that he didn’t recognize him. But now he knows and testified that Jesus is the Son of God. He is the fulfillment of the promises of God. And the title of Son of God has so much to unpack we don’t have the time, but the essence is that Jesus is God of very God, he is the image of the invisible God, the second in the trinity. He embodies all of the hope of God’s people, and the promises of God.

He fulfills all of those other Lamb’s

Isaiah 53:7- “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he did no open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so he did not open his mouth” We like to say, “he never said a mumbling word.”

(Take it to the cross)

Revelation 5:1-14 “I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing...”

This was the song they sang, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”