John 1:29 The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. We must admit two postulates. 1. That the world and all its inhabitants are sinners. 2. That there is a Saviour who takes away the sin of the world. Let me direct your attention to — I. THE BEING HERE MENTIONED. The Israelites found that the forgiveness of their sins was connected in some way with the sacrificial offerings, and therefore came too generally to suppose that there was some inherent virtue in the victims. They were pleased with the shadow instead of looking to the substance. The Baptist broke in upon this lifeless form of things, and, pointing to Christ, said, "Behold," etc. All types are now to merge in the Antitype. The communion bears something of the same relation as the morning and evening and passover lambs bore to Christ. Beware, then, of the mistake of the Jews. 1. In pointing to the Lamb of God, John conveys an important lesson to us. Men expect forgiveness either from the goodness of God or their own good works. Look not on these refuges of lies. Behold the only Being who taketh away sins. 2. Christ is called the Lamb.of God, because appointed by God and accepted by God. II. THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF HIS FUNCTIONS. 1. He endured the Cross, not to raise the Jewish nation to a temporal sovereignty, nor to enrich mankind with wealth and pleasure, nor to acquaint the minds of the inquisitive with philosophy and science. Had that been so, He had been acceptable to Jews, politicians, and philosophers. But by taking away sin, the very ends sought for are most thoroughly achieved. Take away that, and you take away the world's darkness and the world's misery. 2. There are two great evils which sin has entailed. (1) It has brought us under condemnation, taken away our title to heaven, and left us outcasts. (2) It has subjected us so to its ascendency and power, that every affection and appetite is the minister of sin, and we are disqualified for the joys of heaven. To save us, therefore, Christ takes away the guilt and condemnation, and also the power and pollution of sin. 3. The salvation is universally offered, on the condition of faith. III. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORDS "BEHOLD," etc. We may suppose the Baptist addressing himself to — 1. Angels. As ye wing your flight on errands of mercy, ye do behold Him; for into these things the angels desire to look. 2. Fallen angels. Beheld the issue of your evil efforts, the promised bruiser of the serpent's head! 3. Sinners. Turn from trusting in your useless efforts. Why will ye die! 4. Ye people of God, behold the author of that joy and peace with which your hearts are filled. (J. Cumming, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. |
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