[29] The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [30] “This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ [31] “I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” [32] And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. [33] “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ [34] “And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
What are the facts of the passage?:
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There are a couple of important ideas here that bear noting:
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First, we see the official accomplishment of John's ministry. Here is his official announcement of the promised Messiah.
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Second, we see John making the logical connection here between what he had been told by God, and what he was seeing. We can draw some principles for interpretation from this passage. How is it that we can know what God has said is indeed before us?
What do those facts mean?:
I shake my head in reflection about what must have been going thru John's head of this point. Apart from the cross, could there be a more dramatic time a servant of God? How marvelous! How exciting to be alive and to actually see it happening!
How do those facts apply to my life?:
I need to be excited about what God is doing now, in my life!
What should I do in response?:
Get excited! I should be looking for the indicators that God is at work in my life.
