The Passage
John 1:29-34
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.”
Word Work
Ask and answer questions. Questions unlock new discoveries and meanings. Ask questions about the passage using these words: who, what, why, when, where, or how. Jot down your answers to these questions
Word Thoughts:
To see Jesus is to celebrate the end of the sacrificial system, which was central to Israel’s worship. For the blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sin, once and for all (Heb. 10:10). This good news is so central to John’s message that he spends 40 percent of his Gospel describing one week—the most crucial week of our Lord’s life, the week of his death and resurrection (John 12:1–20:25). John wants us to see Jesus not just as a moral model but, far more importantly, as the substitute sacrifice for our sin.
As the Messiah, Jesus was anointed with the Spirit without measure (cf. Isa. 61:1–3; Luke 4:14–19), and he gives his Spirit without reservation to his people. By the Spirit’s baptism, Jesus unites us to himself and inaugurates us into life and service in his kingdom. With Jesus, eternal life begins before death; earthly death is not the final chapter for those united to Christ eternally. The new age has broken in on us, and all are welcomed into it, by resting upon Christ’s provision and resisting the urge to make our way to God with the merit of our obedience. (Gospel Transformation Study Bible) (1)
Word Reflection:
- What stood out?
- How would you explain the difference between the baptism performed by John and the baptizing Jesus came to do? (2)
- How will Jesus take away the sins of the world?
End in Prayer
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