Lamb of God, Son of God ...

Monday, April 14, 2014. We are reading the gospel of John currently. After an introductory paragraph, John talks about the relationship of John the Baptist and Jesus, when he was baptized by John at the Jordan river. It is a remarkable little story, which we should look at in more detail …

Baptism of Jesus …

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1, 29-34)

John speaks prophetic words about the role and status of Jesus. Jesus is “the lamb of god”. John the Baptist also explains here, what this means: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. Recall that “sin” means “distance” and “separation”, but also “guilt”, but also “charges against”. Jesus steps into the gap which is there between mankind and God. He bridges the gap. He takes away all what separates.

Then, we hear a passage which seems to be logically contradictory. Jesus comes after John, but he was before him and ranks before him. It is the purpose of Johns activity to “reveal him to Israel”. He is there to prepare a way for the Lord. Jesus is the Lord. But we are also taken into the szenario which is given at the beginning of John's gospel: Jesus was at the beginning. He is “the word”, which was there with God, which was God, at the beginning. And the word became flesh …

The Spirit …

Then, John starts to talk about the Holy Spirit. The spirit comes like a dove onto him and rests on him. For John this is the sign that Jesus is the promised messiah. John has been waiting for this sign, and it came when he baptized Jesus.

John comes to the conclusion that Jesus is the “son of God”. What does that mean? In what sense is he a son of the creator? In the bible this sonship of Christ is reflected in the virgin birth as well as in the unity which has been there at the beginning of creation. It is reflected in a special relationship of Jesus and God, the deep trust and faith which Jesus shows to his heavenly father.

In this passage we find John as the witness for the special role which Jesus has - for all mankind! We are invited to explore this role. We are invited to get to know this Jesus, who is so special in his relationship to God. We are invited to listen to him, to believe in him, and to be baptized by him - baptized with the Holy Spirit! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts