Introducing Jesus
The Second Sunday of Epiphany
John 1:29-51
Summary
John twice identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29, 1:36). He has been preparing Israel for the coming of Yaweh (Jn. 1:23). John’s Gospel tell us the story of a new creation beginning “in the beginning” (Jn. 1:1). In verse 29, we read “on the next day,” which puts us on day 2 in this new creation. On day 2 in the first creation week in Genesis, the Lord separates the waters above from the waters below and creates a firmament to separate the two. Heaven and earth are separated by the expanse-firmament.
On day 2 in this new creation week in John, we also have waters: the waters of baptism. Perhaps we’re to associate the Lamb of God with the firmament. Through the Lamb’s work heaven and earth will be re-united. In John 1:51, Jesus tells Nathanael that he will see “heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” That is to say, Jesus will be the place heaven and earth connect. It’s also notable that after the creation of the firmament on day 2 in Genesis, this is the only day when the Lord does not say, “And it was good.” This could mean that the creation of the firmament was only meant to be temporary.
The Lamb of God recalls the Passover sacrifice of a lamb during the Exodus (Ex. 12). Each household was to take a lamb, kill it, then take the blood of the lamb to place it on the two doorposts of their homes. Then the household was to eat a meal of the lamb. The Lord then passed over the land of Egypt to strike down the firstborn of the land. But when the Lord saw the blood on the doorpost of the homes who kept the feast, he passed over them.
From John’s identification of Jesus as the Lamb of God, we can learn a couple of important themes. Jesus’s ministry is a new exodus and he will be the means of accomplishing that exodus as the passover Lamb. Also, this identification of Jesus as the Lamb of God also invites us to consider how John’s Gospel will unpack theses exodus themes.
The Lamb of God will take away the sin of the world. The removal of sins is not in view in the Passover, but is found in the removal of sin by other sacrificial offerings involving a lamb whose sacrifice brings atonement (Lev. 4:32-35). It’s the sin of the world that has created a separation of heaven and earth, that has kept humanity from fellowship with God the creator. The Father sends the Son to in the incarnation to dwell on earth as the presence of God, and the Son will remove the obstacle of sin for the sake of the world.
John’s focuses his introduction of Jesus to the world as the Lamb of God. But there will be a series of introduction in the remaining chapter.
On the next day, John identifies Jesus again as the Lamb of God in the presence of two of his disciples. Once again, this is how John introduces Jesus. These disciples follow Jesus and he asks them the question of discipleship: “What are you seeking” (Jn. 1:39). They want to know where he is staying, and Jesus invites them to “Come and See.”
One of the disciples, Andrew, finds his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus. On the next day, Jesus finds Phillip and says, “Follow me,” another key part of discipleship. Philip, in turn, finds his friend Nathanael and says they have found the one the prophets foretold. Nathanael is skeptical, but he checks it out. Philip uses the words of Jesus: “Come and see” to encourage Nathanael along to find out for himself.
Before Nathanael can see Jesus, Jesus proclaims Nathanael as the “Israelite.” But Nathanael will see “angels ascending and descending” on Jesus, a reference to Jacob’s ladder (Gen. 32:22-32). Jacob is Israel, so Nathanael will be the one to see the true Israelite, Jesus.
Spreading the News of Jesus
In John 1:35-51, we see the news about Jesus spreading out and people responding to that news. First, John the Baptist announces the good news: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Here in Jesus is the world’s savior who deals finally with the world’s problem: sin. John introduces Jesus to Israel but also, through John’s Gospel, to the world. He repeats his message on the next day about the lamb of God.
John’s Gospel, though deeply connected to the story of Israel (as evidenced in this passage) sets the gospel in a cosmic context. John’s gospel is a new a creation story, and the good news is the Lord enters into fallen creation so as to restore it. He does this by removing sin. He removes sin by becoming the sacrificial lamb.
This message, however, calls for a response. The Gospel is for the world, but it’s also for our immediate connections, our families. Andrew discovers Jesus and then tells his brother. Phillip is found by Jesus and tells his friend Nathanael. The Gospel spreads along social lines, by word of mouth—to our family and to our friends.
The good news that the Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world is not an abstract message. It’s a message we’re invited to “come and see.” It’s a message for our broken families who need restoration. It’s a message for our friends how are ravaged by sin. It’s a message for us who are aware of the own darkness in our hearts.
In discovering Jesus, being introduced to him, we discover that Jesus was seeking us. Jesus invites us to “come and see,” to check him out, to investigate for ourselves his claims and why we should follow him with all of our lives. Philip picks up that evangelistic and invites his friend to “come and see.” This is a confident and warm gospel invitation.
What does it mean for the church to announce the Gospel while we invite people to come and see? We bring people into contact with Jesus. Come and see Jesus in the word. Come and see Jesus in the worshipping community where two or more are gathered. Come and see Jesus in smaller gatherings of the church around tables and in prayer.
Jesus’s questions “What are you seeking?” is the question for everyone. What do you really want? What are you giving your life to? Is it worth it? Do you even know what you want? We’ll answer that question a thousand ways. Regardless of that answer, the response is “come and see” Jesus.
John’s Gospel begins here with this invitation. The rest of the Gospel is our invitation to come (and keeping coming!) and see Jesus.