Friday, January 12, 2007
John 1:35-36 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"
BEHOLD HIM IN AWE
John the Baptizer would not have made a good politician. He was a leader yes. And popular with the people. But he spoke the truth too much. He wasn't afraid to rebuke the common people. And he wasn't impressed with the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees.
It was the truth John spoke that drew crowds of people to the banks of the Jordan river. It was the truth that rang so clear and unashamed in John's message.
With his uncompromising attitude and his biting tongue it must have been astonishing for his students to see him stare in awe as Jesus passed by. And to hear his words, "Behold, the Lamb of God" (1:36).
God had told the Baptizer how to identify the Chosen One. And at Jesus' baptism all doubt had been removed. John had seen the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove. John had heard the Father's voice speak from above, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
John's whole life and ministry had been dedicated to this Man. But, Jesus wasn't just the exclamation point of John's ministry, Jesus was John's own Savior. John knew his sins, and through God's grace, John knew his Savior. And it took his breath away. The gruff camel hair wearing, locust eating, Pharisee denouncing hermit stared in awe as Jesus passed by.
This Epiphany season let's do the same. Let's be like John and behold Him in awe. In the presence of God's Chosen One, we see our teacher. We see our guide. But above all, we see our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13).
