“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”” John 1:29-34 NLT
Good Shepherd,
I love verse 29 and the picture of Jesus, that John gives, as the Lamb of God. It fills my mind with all those lambs sacrificed for sin and transgressions needed before the one spotless lamb.. The Passover lamb that was slaughtered to keep the Israelites safe from the angel of death in the last plague before they left Egypt. The picture of You, our God as Shepherd in the Psalms.
No human sacrifice could attain forgiveness, pay for sin or deliver us from death. But John reminds us that this lamb, this Jesus, he saw Your Holy Spirit resting on and knew He was the Messiah.. He was the only lamb that could fulfill the prophesies of a messiah.
The gentle Lamb of God but who would smite death, conquer sin and transgression, obey You His Father and fulfill all that was foretold of Him. The lamb of God who takes away sin. Not covers it up, not reminds us of our failures to keep us in our place (that’s the enemy). The Lamb who removes it, scorns the shame of it, and presents us blameless at Your throne God (Romans 12:2 and Jude 24). With great joy! Behold the Lomb of God who takes away my sin and yours . . .
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 22nd October 2025
I am reminded that every meal can be a time of communion as we break bread and drink . . . and give thanks.
Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away,
Slain for us: and we remember:
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgiveness at the cross.
So we share in this Bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice,
As a sign of our bonds of peace
Around the table of the King.
The body of our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Torn for you: eat and remember
The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life,
Paid the price to make us one.
So we share in this Bread of Life,
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of love
Around the table of the King.
The blood that cleanses every stain of sin,
Shed for you: drink and remember
He drained death’s cup that all may enter in
To receive the life of God.
So we share in this Bread of Life,
And we drink of His sacrifice,
As a sign of our bonds of grace
Around the table of the King.
And so with thankfulness and faith
We rise to respond: and to remember
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ
As His body here on earth.
As we share in His suffering,
We proclaim: Christ will come again!
And we’ll join in the feast of heaven
Around the table of the King.
Lyrics: Stuart Townend, Keith & Kristyn Getty