September 14 Devotional

John 1:29-34 (ESV) The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 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.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” What a statement. What incredible news. Think of all the shattered things in this world. The hurts, the broken promises, broken relationships, the injustices, and death itself, all resulting from the sin of the world. John the Baptist (again, not the writer of this book), exclaims, “BEHOLD.” In other words, “LOOK. SEE the one who takes this away sin. The one who destroys death itself. BEHOLD the healer. He is right here, so fix your gaze on him. Take him in. Don’t look away. Just watch!”In his brief statement, John turns his FULL attention to Christ. But it’s not just HIS attention. He is standing there in front of a crowd of followers, and he’s urging them to give Jesus THEIR attention as well. He didn’t want eyes on himself, he wanted their eyes on Jesus!He tells them, “You all have been baptized with water for the forgiveness of sins, but Jesus is here now… The One I’ve been telling you about. God sent him, and he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."It’s been two thousand years since John’s worshipful outburst, but the details remain the same for us today. Jesus came and He’s still here! He continues to baptize his followers with the Holy Spirit.So today, let’s take John’s posture. Let’s allow ourselves to see him… to be filled with the same wonder that John was filled with. Because truly, the promised one has come. He was slain for us, risen for us, and through the Holy Spirit, he is making all things new IN us.

Behold him now: the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.Let’s Pray: Jesus, Thank you for coming and giving your perfect self as the Lamb of God. You truly gave your life for mine. You have given me life and peace. Thank you for all you are and all you give. I ask that today, even now, you would fill me with your Holy Spirit. That you would revitalize me with your presence, your holiness and your joy. I ask that your peace would permeate every part of my being and I would behold you in this day and always. Amen.