Slices
Prepare
Think of your favourite title for Jesus. Talk to God about the reasons for your choice and give him thanks for the gift of his Son.
Bible passage
John testifies about Jesus
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.” 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptising with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.’
32 Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.” 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.’
Explore
Boxer Muhammad Ali was the ‘Greatest’; singer Elvis Presley, the ‘King of Rock and Roll’; and former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the ‘Iron Lady’. These are all examples of famous epithets – titles given to people to convey their character and/or significance. The epithet bestowed on Jesus by John the Baptist here is the ‘Lamb of God’ (v 29). We have no idea what John’s contemporaries would have made of this designation, but within the narrative of the Gospel it looks ahead at the outset to the climactic, sacrificial death of Jesus as God’s Passover lamb (19:28–37). John is consistent in wanting nothing more than to make Jesus known.
It is significant that John amplifies his epithet: Jesus is ‘the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ (v 29). With this we are informed that the scope of the new creation that God will work in Jesus is truly cosmic. Through him, all people everywhere – not just Israelites – can receive the Holy Spirit (v 33) and become children of God (1:12,13). Jesus, the Messiah (v 34), is the ‘light for the Gentiles’ (Isaiah 49:6). To what extent does this make God the God of equality, diversity and inclusion?
Respond
Ask God to help you see those whom you secretly regard as beyond his salvation as being as much a focus of his work of new creation as yourself.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 34–36; Acts 13
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks to God for those who will be leading SU holidays or missions for the first time in 2024. Ask God to give them the insight and wisdom to know how best to share Jesus with the children and young people they encounter. (This week's prayers relate to this story.)
