Did you ever notice just how God introduced his Son to us earthlings? God’s prophet John the Baptist had that honor. Imagine, presenting the Father’s very Son to us! In little more than a dozen words, he did it:

Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29.

Unlike so many preachers today, John does not simply talk about Jesus, he presents, introduces, points directly at him. In those few words, hear what he says!

First, HIS IDENTITY—Who He Is

The Lord Jesus is presented as “the Lamb of God.” Not just a lamb but the Lamb, and He is God’s own offering—given by the Father to pay our debt of sin.

One theme is carried from Genesis to Revelation in the Bible. In various ways we are taught that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness,” Hebrews 9:22; that is, a lamb or other sacrificial victim must die if the sinner is to be spared and forgiven. The death penalty must be paid. When John cries out, “Look, the Lamb of God” he is forecasting that Jesus is to die in our stead as the appointed offering. Look again at our text John 1:29 and notice our next observation.

Second, HIS WORK—What He Does

Jesus’ work is to take away the sin of the world—a big task, for all sin! We are guilty before God and defiled in our hearts. “Guilty!” reads our record in heaven, and our character on earth is troubled. Both these issues are dealt with by Jesus. He dies in our stead and lives to intercede for us and send the Holy Spirit to change and fill our hearts.

Take a look at the familiar John 3:16. It does not say, “God so loved the world that he forgave our sins.” No! We are instead told that God’s love is so great that He made a just way to forgive us. He gave even His own Son to take our punishment for sin. Christ died in our place, and His death makes a just way for the settlement of our guilt. Next, he lives and works in us in new ways.

Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ takes away the sin of the world! Turn to Him now in surrender and ask to receive this salvation.