“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

John the Baptizer is our preacher, pointing the way, the only way to the One who is the Way, the Truth, the Life. Don’t look to John. He’s not much to look at anyway. Follow his bony, pointing finger and look to where he is pointing. Look to Jesus. Behold. See for yourself. John would draw all attention away from himself. He must decrease; Jesus must increase. Jesus is the coming One, the one whom John said was greater than him because He was before him, even though Jesus was six months younger than John. John was the prophet; Jesus the Lord. John came baptizing with water in preparation, so that Jesus might be revealed to Israel. We heard about that last week at Jesus’ baptism - the heavens opened, the Spirit descended, the voice of the Father testified. Now John testifies - Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

What happens when the Son of God takes on flesh and becomes one of us? He is baptized by His cousin John in the Jordan river. His baptism is revelation, consecration, and preparation.

Epiphany - the Gentiles’ Christmas. Jesus is revealed to be not only Israel’s messiah and king but the world’s messiah and king. “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”