A Testimony Not His Own
Jesus' life speaks for itself. And others, for him.
Merry 11th day of Christmas! We’ll get back to the earlier days of Jesus’ life on Monday, which is Epiphany. Today, we continue with John’s first chapter.
John the gospel writer continues to focus on settling into the person of Jesus — who he is and why he came — above and beyond the personal details of his origin (no birth story, etc.). And he continues to use someone other than Jesus himself to do it. This is a common feature of all the gospels - that the testimony about who Jesus was and is does not initiate from himself. Rarely, if ever, do we see Jesus strutting around declaring his authority: “Hi! I’m God’s son!”
Rather, testimony about him mostly comes from others. Sometimes in deep theological statements like here throughout John 1, and sometimes just from the experience others have had with him: I don’t know about all that. Here’s what I do know: I was blind and now I see (John 9).
There is something interesting going on in John calling Jesus the Lamb of God. You can read more about that in a previous entry (Jesus is the GOAT). For today, it’s notable that while Jesus came forth from a significant Israelite history - which John is building upon - he also came to fulfill it by expanding and reinterpreting it.
Many kings have come before. Some bad, some good, few great. But this one’s different. And while John does not place him in a story of the well-seasoned, never-over-done humble nature of the holy family that is a young mother and mostly-silent father, we will soon see that this gospel, too, places Jesus right in the middle of a context that is for all people.
John 1:29-37
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.’ Even I didn’t recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him. Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and testified that this one is God’s Son.”
The next day John was standing again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus walking along he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard what he said, and they followed Jesus.
Psalm 40:6-8
You don’t relish sacrifices or offerings; you don’t require entirely burned offerings or compensation offerings— but you have given me ears! So I said, “Here I come! I’m inscribed in the written scroll. I want to do your will, my God. Your instruction is deep within me.”
Prayer
God,
Thank you for the Lamb of God, who takes away the sinfulness of the world. This year has begun with some evil happenings throughout the nation in which I live. So I’d like to claim this role of Jesus for it all. Please, God — take away the sinfulness of the world! In the midst of it, help us hear and see the witness of Jesus clearly, and let us, in turn, reflect your light to others.
As Jesus came not to seek status or acclaim, but to fulfill your purpose of redemption and restoration, help me to live humbly, yet boldly, in his example. May we embrace your expansive mission to fulfill your understanding of love, grace, and truth in the world.
Teach me to trust in your work through Christ, who stands at the center of all things. Let our lives testify to his goodness, so that others may also see and know your saving work.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.