The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Part 2)

     This communication by John the Baptist points out Christ to mankind. John has been speaking of Christ to the people, now he says, “There He is.”

     The Sheep in the communication. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). This is the great communication about Jesus Christ. First, the significance of the Lamb. “Behold.” Christ is the most important person in life. The Apostle Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Second, the source of the Lamb. “Lamb of God.” Salvation is provided by God. Man did not devise soul salvation. Third, the sanctifying by the Lamb. “Taketh away the sin of the world.” To be saved, we need to be cleansed of our sin. Only the blood of the Lamb will cleanse us from our sins (Hebrews 9:12).
     The support for the communication. “This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me; for he was before me” (John 1:30). John the Baptist had been telling the people about Christ. Now John announces that Christ has come. Christ’s coming supports the message that John has been preaching.
     The sign in the communication. God gave John the Baptist a sign to confirm Who Jesus Christ was. First, the need of a sign. “I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel” (John 1:31). John needed to know with certainty Who Christ was so He could proclaim Him with certainty when He came on the scene. Second, the nobleness before the sign. Before the sign came to declare who the person of Christ was, John waited in obedience “baptizing with water.” He did what he knew to do and waited for further illumination. Obedience in what you know to do is a prerequisite for further revelation. Third, the nature of the sign. “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him … Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost” (John 1:32, 33). When John baptized Jesus, “The Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him [Jesus]” (Luke 3:22) to inform John the Baptist that this was indeed the One Who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This was indeed the Christ.
     The sureness in the communication. “I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34). The word translated “bare record” is the same word translated “witness” in John 1:7, 8, 15. It means to give evidence, to confirm. John is speaking with certainty. He is dogmatic. John is not guessing. He knows for sure. That is the only way to testify of Christ.