John 1:29-34

Jesus the Lamb of God ~

The next day - the day after the chief priests and leaders questioned John - Jesus comes.  As he approaches, John proclaims Him the Messiah in two very interesting ways:

1)  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  This is significant because every Jew knew that the lamb of God is the sacrificial lamb offered on the altar as payment for their sins.  In proclaiming Jesus as the Lamb of God, John is revealing Jesus' mission and ministry.  The Messiah has not come as an earthly king who will establish Jerusalem as a powerful, independent kingdom.  The Messiah has come to sacrifice Himself in order to take away our sins.

2)  John did not know who the Messiah was until God through the Holy Spirit revealed it to him.  See, John and Jesus are related.  They are cousins.  Mary, Jesus' mother, spent three months with Elizabeth, John's mother, while they were both pregnant.  John probably grew up hearing about the incredible events of Jesus' conception and birth.  Yet, he did not rely on man's words, he relied on God's Word.  John proclaims that he knew he was called to prepare the way for the Messiah and it was prophesied to him that he would know the Messiah when, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit."  John testifies to God's Word, not his own assumptions.  You would be wise to do the same.