John 1:29-42 (NRSV)
Read John 1:29-42 on biblegateway.com
Verse 29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Verse 30This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' Verse 31I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." Verse 32And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. Verse 33I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' Verse 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God." Verse 35The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, Verse 36and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!"
Verse 37The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Verse 38When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" Verse 39He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. Verse 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. Verse 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). Verse 42He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).
Devotion
“Come, See, Stay”
Today, John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus by introducing us to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. By recalling the Passover Lamb of Exodus, pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God emphasizes the way that Jesus gives his life for our salvation. Though sin separates us from God, Jesus reconciles us to God, overcoming the sin of the world by his “obedience unto death, even death on the cross” (Philippians 2:8).
In John’s message we are called to “come and see” and ponder the depth of the sacrifices made for us in Jesus the Lamb of God. How could we ever repay such love except by passing on the story of such a gift. In our worship we continue to sing its power for us: “Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us…grant us peace.”
Prayer
Gracious God, today we remember and give thanks for your servant Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who was martyred for his role in renewing society. May Dr. King’s sacrifice bear fruit as the struggle continues. Amen.
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