WEEK SIX
Jan 4 – Jan 7
THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS

Day 36—Sunday, January 4

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
John 1:29-34

THE SON OF GOD

A vital link between the Old and New Testaments, John (as the last and greatest of the Prophets) gives clear witness to the gospel, testifying that his kinsman Jesus is the “Agnus Dei“ of the ultimate Passover sacrifice for all the world.

The Baptizer fielded questions more than once regarding his identity: Who are you… the Messiah, Elijah, or the prophet? Those identities he denied. He plainly knew his role, and answered, “I am the Voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord,”—a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

In order for the people to receive the True Light coming into the world, John’s identity must be unambiguous. Although multitudes had flocked to him and responded to his call for repentance, John wanted them to be sure of his lowly standing as servant of the higher-ranking Man coming after him. John was not the One, but pointed to the Christ who came to redeem us from our sins and reconcile us to God as His children.

“I did not recognize Him,” says the Baptist and Forerunner John. Furthermore, the authority of John is superseded by a supreme authority and epiphany. As John obeyed his calling to ready the people for the coming of the Messiah, they repented and were baptized. The stage is set for the divine identification of Jesus. Now in no uncertain terms, God the Father identifies the One upon whom the spirit descends and remains to be the One who “baptizes in the Holy Spirit.” John recognizes the Voice of the Father. He recognizes the Spirit coming down. And with the confluence of these revelations John makes his proclamation, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

This passage records the confirmation from above that Jesus’ identity engages all three persons of the Holy Trinity. Here the Father bears witness to Jesus as his beloved Son, and the third person of the Trinity, the Spirit, descends to confirm this truth. This identification is of incomparable import. How often Christ asks, “who do you say that I am?” Jesus seeks for each person’s knowledge of His identity to come from personal encounter and inner conviction through the Holy Spirit. Our answer to this question and our ongoing response to it will be life creating or death dealing. 

In the unique event of the Sinless One’s baptism, we perceive the Eternal Almighty God breaking through with the glorious proclamation, “this is my beloved Son, with who I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). John, the heraldic voice of the Word, gives steadfast witness as the Spirit comes to rest upon Christ who then overcomes the temptation in the wilderness and begins His public ministry. Let us add our voices to the chorus lauding Agnus Dei, the Chosen One.

“When Thou O Lord was baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. The voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the likeness of a dove confirmed the truth of His word.  O Christ our God, who didst appear and enlighten the world, Glory to Thee”. - Hymn for Christ’s Baptism

Prayer of Blessing: Jude 1:24-25
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.

Beth Krammes