Posted on 09/13/2019 4:53:36 AM PDT by metmom
“Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:35–37).
John looked at Jesus as He walked nearby, and repeated to his disciples what he had proclaimed to the crowds on the previous day: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Having heard their teacher speak again those powerful words, the two disciples followed Jesus. John’s willingness to unhesitatingly hand them over to Him is further evidence of his self-effacing humility and complete acceptance of his subordinate role.
That the two disciples followed Jesus does not imply that they became permanent disciples of His at this time. It is true that the Greek word for “followed” is used in John’s gospel to mean, “to follow as a disciple.” But it can also be used in a general sense. Andrew and John here received their first exposure to Jesus. Later, they became His permanent disciples (Matt. 4:18–22).
Since the Messiah, the Son of God—the Lamb of God—is here, the only proper response is to follow Him.
Having served his purpose as a witness to the true identity of Jesus, John the Baptist now fades from the scene (apart from a brief mention in John 3:23). The rest of the gospel focuses on the ministry of Jesus, something the Baptist himself would have approved of.
You can have the same kind of influence that John did by making sure that in addition to following Christ you also point people to Him.
Ask Yourself
What does “following” Jesus entail—not just in general terms but in real life? What does it mean on Friday nights when you’re alone with your free time, or on Tuesday morning when you’re busy with the usual routine? Think of what needs to change in moments like these if you’re to be a full-time follower.
Studying God’s Word ping
Glory to God in the Highest
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
[Priest]
The mystery of faith.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
The Lamb of God is a very apt title - the sacrifice as we see in the heavenly Divine Liturgy that we partake of in the One-time sacrifice of the Christ.
That is where Jesus is the Priest, King and sacrifice.
The Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God - a lamb looking as if slain.
We repeat this term multiple times through the Divine Liturgy to remind us of the great sacrifice that God made for us and our salvation.
"We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." John 6:69 NASB
While The Lord Jesus Christ has many titles, to us on earth the title given by John was the most important.
As human children of God we have fallen short of the perfection that would allow us to live with God again. Because of Adam’s fall we are mortals, we will die. We deserve punishment for our sins and death because of our lack of perfection.
God gave mankind sacrifice to remind us of the coming of the Messiah who would take away our sins by paying for them Himself. He could pay for our sins because He had none and He could withstand the punishment because of His Father being God, He could suffer from the punishment because His mother was a human, even Mary.
Jesus would have rather not had to do this but He loved us enough to go through it even though it was incomprehensibly difficult to do.
When we stand before God to be judged and have our punishment meted out if we are followers of Jesus The Savior will step forward and say that punishment has already been given, that price has already been paid.
When Pilate questioned Jesus he asked Him if He were a king. The Lord said “for this reason was I born”. I think He indeed admitted to Pilate that He was King but I also think He was saying that He was born to do what He was doing then, preparing to be a sacrifice. He came here, suffered and gave His life on the cross for this reason, to prevent us from having to suffer these punishments and to allow us to live with Him eternally.
The Holy Bible, and importantly The New Testament has been proven historically accurate over and over again yet some think it is a myth, a fantasy. I tell you I know Jesus Christ is the Son of God, it is real.
Come, commune with the lord at the divine liturgy
Ditto to your post.
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