December 6, 2009
READING: John 1:29-31
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
John 1: 29
The first people, other than Mary and Joseph, to sense that Jesus was more than an ordinary person were the Wise Men from the East. Thirty years later, in Bethany, a village east of the Jordan River, John the Baptist announced to the crowd sent by Jewish leaders and the Pharisees, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. Although Jesus lived among the Jews and was referred to as the sacrificial and suffering Lamb, the people of Israel were confused by the meaning of John’s words. The Jews regularly sacrificed lambs in the Temple and for the Passover meal or Seder but did not make the connection. They put their trust in the sacrificial act but did not think anything more was necessary to be a “good Jew”. Few had accepted Him as the Messiah. If you were present during John’s proclamation, how do you think you would have reacted to his words? Would you have asked John to baptize you so that you could join God’s family?
READING: John 1:29-31
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
John 1: 29
The first people, other than Mary and Joseph, to sense that Jesus was more than an ordinary person were the Wise Men from the East. Thirty years later, in Bethany, a village east of the Jordan River, John the Baptist announced to the crowd sent by Jewish leaders and the Pharisees, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. Although Jesus lived among the Jews and was referred to as the sacrificial and suffering Lamb, the people of Israel were confused by the meaning of John’s words. The Jews regularly sacrificed lambs in the Temple and for the Passover meal or Seder but did not make the connection. They put their trust in the sacrificial act but did not think anything more was necessary to be a “good Jew”. Few had accepted Him as the Messiah. If you were present during John’s proclamation, how do you think you would have reacted to his words? Would you have asked John to baptize you so that you could join God’s family?
According to historians, Advent originated during the first century as a period during which Christian converts prepared themselves for baptism through instruction, prayer, fasting, and reflection (similar to Lent). Since then, Advent has become a season filled with the spirit of expectation, anticipation, preparation, and longing for the Second Coming of Christ.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for this special time of year when we celebrate Your love coming down from heaven to earth. Open our hearts to receive a special gift of faith this Christmas. Use our lips and lives to invite others to become acquainted with You. Amen
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for this special time of year when we celebrate Your love coming down from heaven to earth. Open our hearts to receive a special gift of faith this Christmas. Use our lips and lives to invite others to become acquainted with You. Amen
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