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Sep 6, 2020

Scripture Reading: John 1:29-34

This passage is the second extended paragraph containing John the Baptist's declarations about Jesus.  It is clear from the statements in this section of John 1 that the Baptist had one thing on his mind … the exaltation of the person of Christ.  John makes two remarkable and awesome pronouncements concerning Christ.  He is the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29) and He is the Son of God (Jn 1:34).

These two titles are profound and from them we see that Jesus performs two acts … at least two acts in this paragraph.  Jesus takes away sins (Jn 1:29) and He baptizes with the Holy Spirit (Jn 1:33).

As the sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus takes away the sin and its penalty for the world.  Of course, this cannot mean that every person in the world will be forgiven.  There are many Biblical passages that do not allow such an interpretation.  D. A. Carson is helpful here.  "This Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world – that is, of all human beings without distinction, though not . . . of all [human beings] without exception" (Carson, The Gospel According to John, 151).  All tribes and tongues are offered the gospel of Christ and all tribes and tongues will be represented in heaven (cf. Rev 5:9,10)

As the Son of God, Jesus baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit comes through Jesus, both in the work of regeneration and in the ongoing work of changing us into the image of Christ.  The word 'baptism' here seems to indicate our being immersed … plunged into the life of the Holy Spirit with life-changing effects.

Let us consider afresh, from this passage, who Jesus is and what He has done/is doing for us.  And let us adore Him all the more.