Gospel of John (Apostle) 1:29-34 (I underlined what will be discussed below)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one of whom I said: A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me. I did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and remain on him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit descend and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ And now I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
Exegesis:
Sin – singular means all sin, from the beginning of man to the end of man.
A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me. John the Baptist has obviously been told what his role is – to announce the coming of the Messiah); that the Messiah was the Son of God and therefore “ranked ahead of him and came before him.”
I did not know him? How is this possible? – (1) John was likely orphaned at a young age since Elizabeth and Zechariah were already up in years when John was born. This would have put young John in custody of another family that did not have a relationship with John’s distant cousin (Jesus). (2) Jesus also was raised in Nazareth in Galilee, 75 miles north of where John was born – a week’s travel away. (3) John already lived near the Essenes in Qumran, monk-like, celibate Jewish ascetics who were known for taking on Jewish orphans (per the Dead Sea Scrolls). (4) John spoke with very similar language to the Essenes.
I came for this purpose - baptizing with water so that he (the Messiah) may be revealed to Israel. It appears John was not baptizing to cleanse sins so much as he was following directions so that the Messiah would be revealed to him: the Holy Spirit would come down and rest upon the Messiah.
The one who sent me… Either God or an angel talked to John in his dreams, or in a vision, but his instructions for finding the Messiah were very specific, and John was following them to a T.
Dove – The Holy Spirit was traditionally tied to creation: The earth was without form… and the Spirit of God was moving over the waters.” Gen 1:2. The dove was connected in a sense to a “new creation” when the dove brought Noah (still in the ark) an olive branch (Gen 8:10). The dove at Jesus’ baptism combines both of these images into one – the Holy Spirit and a new creation via the dove. Furthermore, the dove is what Mary and Joseph brought to the Temple for Jesus’ “Presentation” – the poor man’s sacrifice. The dove then shows the humility of Jesus coming here poor and that the dove was a “sacrifice,” as Jesus would be.
He will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to pay off our debts (sins) – for what purpose? To enable a relationship with the Holy Spirit, who would help us make the remaining journey towards Trinitarian Fellowship. This will be completed at Pentecost.
“Behold the Lamb of God.” Deep meaning and history to this statement, as follows:
Lamb of God briefly… (The full passages for these are down below)
Abraham to Issac – “God will provide, my son.” Gen22:7
Exodus-Passover – Blood of the Lamb = Death “Passes Over.” Exodus 12
Tabernacle-Temple instructions – unblemished, male lamb 2x/day till the Mosaic covenant ends –Ex. 29
Isaiah – Passion – Is 53:7,10
John the Baptist – Behold the Lamb of God – Jn1:29 (the brining of the HS)
Last Supper – what we say before communion, “Lamb of God...”
Apocalypse/Revelations – Victory of the Lamb – Rev5:1-8
If you understand the references above (or read the full passages below), you will see the reason we say the “Lamb of God” like we do at Mass before Communion. Think of the first “Lamb of God” as referring to the OT, the second for the NT (specifically Jesus’ life), the third for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and the fourth is now our turn to accept God’s invitation – “Blessed are they who are invited to the Supper of the Lamb.” Our humble, earthly response reflects the words and faith of the centurion, when he asked Jesus to heal his servant...
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. [OT: Issac, Moses, JohnB]
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. [JC: Incarnation, LSupper, Ress]
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace. [HS: Pentecost/Us]
Blessed are they who are invited to the Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9) [Our Turn] Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof; only say the word and I shall be healed (Mt 8:8)
Fun class, next week we start meeting the motley crew, also known as the Apostles.
Ron
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