Recognizing Jesus (Pt.2)

(Part 2 of 2)

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”-John 1:29

Upon seeing Jesus, John reveals that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Israel had been looking for a Messiah. Someone to free them from Roman oppression. They certainly didn’t expect it to be a carpenter’s son from Galilee. In fact, even as faith-filled as John was, at first, he didn’t recognize it to be Jesus, until the Spirit of God descended and rested on Him. 

Perhaps they didn’t recognize Him because they were looking for someone to save them from the Romans, not someone who was coming to save them from their sins. Yet, Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He started by coming first to His very own people, but according to John 1:11-13 they rejected Him:

“ He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

But to all who believed in Him and accepted Him, He gave them the right to become children of God. John recognized Jesus as Creator God, but also as Savior of the world. 

John’s testimony about Jesus caused many people to follow Him. Those who began following Jesus initially addressed Him as Rabbi; which means teacher. For many, this is all Jesus would ever beI; a wise teacher that gave out good advice. But for those who chose to recognize Him as their Messiah; they became His disciples:

“One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).-John 1:40-41

Others were a little slower to believe:

“The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”-John 1:43-46. 

Nathaniel was skeptical, until he had an encounter with Jesus:

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”-John 1:47-49

I think there are a lot of people like Nathanael today who are just a little skeptical. They want to believe, but are struggling to completely embrace Jesus truly as Creator and Savior. Nevertheless, you will never truly recognize Jesus, if all He ever is to you is a good teacher, a philosopher, an encourager or a wise leader. Jesus is God! He is the Creator of the Universe and He is the Savior of all mankind!

I wonder if you know Him?

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church