In preparation for this Sunday's service, please read John 1:29-42
John 1:29-42
Christ revealed as the Lamb of God
1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 1:30 This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' 1:31 I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." 1:32 And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 1:33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
1:34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One." 1:35 The next day John again was standing with two
of his disciples, 1:36 and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" 1:37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 1:38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 1:39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the
afternoon. 1:40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 1:41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). 1:42 He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).
John the Baptist had a unique perspective on Jesus. God had told John that the One on whom he saw the Spirit come down and remain was the One who would baptize people with the Holy Spirit. John saw the Spirit come down from heaven like a dove and descend on Jesus. That convinced John that Jesus was "God's Chosen One" (verse 34). Who or what did it take to convince you? What did you do when you first believed?
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday. Coffee hour is at 10:30 am and service starts at 11:00 am.
