John

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

John

Baptizer     Annointer

Proclaimed     Testified     Called

Behold the Lamb of God

Jesus

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 1: 29 to 30

John the Baptist saw Jesus moving towards him and proclaimed,

"Behold the Lamb of God.

He is the one who will wash away all the sin that surrounds us."

Reflection

John the Baptist gets it right!

He sees Jesus for who He truly is.

John was used to large crowds of people coming to hear him and to be baptized. We might wonder, "How was he able to pick out Jesus."

It would have been easy for John to just focus on all the people who were coming to listen to his message of repentance.

John saw something special and unique in Jesus. He proclaims it by testifying that Jesus is the Lamb of God.

The Jewish people were used to bringing lambs to God which they would offer in sacrifice. The lambs would have to be without blemish----pure and with no birth defects or injuries.

However to call someone the Lamb of God was different. God is coming to present a sacrifice for us.

John is indicating what Jesus will do: He will offer His life for us. Jesus loves us so much that He is willing to be totally faithful to the mission the Father has given Him. His faithfulness to that mission will lead to His death on the cross, His resurrection from the dead, His ascension to heaven, and His sending of the Holy Spirit upon us.

John saw that Jesus was special. He saw with the eyes of faith.

John's testimony to who Jesus was challenges us to open our eyes today and to see Jesus among us.

The Lamb of God continues to offer Himself to us each day as we open our eyes to see Him in our sisters and brothers, especially those who are on the peripheries. 

Behold Him in your life.

He comes to offer you His Love!

1. What does it mean to say that Jesus is the Lamb of God?

2. How can we see with the "eyes of faith"?

3. How does John's testimony about Jesus challenge you today?

4. As you reflect on Kathy's photo, what do you feel?