Jan. 20, 2002

It is amazing how John the Baptist is aware of the center of Christianity when saying; Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He also states that Jesus existed before him and that he is the Son of God.

This profound understanding John did not gain from himself but from the Spirit’s testimony at the baptism of Jesus. John speaks out plainly " I did not know who he would be, but the Spirit made me sure." This is exactly what happens even today. This is as said by Luther in his comments on the Third Article; " I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith".

This is how God works in our lives and creates the faith as a gift.

This is not a once upon a time experience, it takes a lifetime effort to renew and empower our faith. This is the work of God’s Spirit through the good news of Christ. But it cannot happen against our will, only with our will and by our acceptance.

Here is the Lamb of God who, takes away the sin of the world!

In the Gospel of John the word "world" occurs frequently.

The best known is, " So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son". John 3:16

Jesus says, "I am the Light of the world". John 8:12

"For the bread that God gives is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." John 6:33

The "world" in this context means the whole world, the entire humankind and the entire creation. Not only the earth, but also the entire universe.

Long time ago the earth was thought of as the center of the world and with the sun and the moon and the stars as a kind of vault over the earth. Modern science has opened up toward an unlimited universe. This does not undermine the Bible and Christian faith, rather quite the opposite, modern science makes God of the Bible and his Creation even more impressive to us.

The fall of Adam and Eve; does it have impact on the entire mankind and the entire created universe and the total of all human life previous to us and succeeding to us, both on this globe and far out in the starry sky? When the Gospel for Christmas proclaims great joy for all the people, does it include the creation out there in the big universe of planets? May we take for granted that the birth of our Savior also was for the living that might be out there? Could it be that God had someone else to send or could God’s Son that came to our place in the same time be present somewhere else?

Let me stop asking these kinds of questions.

The Bible pictures the fullness of God being all in all. It is in him we live and exist. Life and death do not make any difference.

The Gospel tells us that as the fall of Adam disturbed all, the salvation of Christ is for all.

Here is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!

When John is naming Jesus the "Lamb of God" this is one of the most significant titles related to the salvation history and it has even become part of our Worship Service language for the Holy Communion. Three times we sing "Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world".

Implicating in this title is the story of the Jewish Passover Lamb (Ex 12) and what is said about the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). At the time of Jesus it was still common to sacrifice a lamb in the Temple every morning and every evening.

In the Book of Revelation this title is used 29 times about Christ. The enormous crowd dressed in white robes, stands in front of the throne and of the Lamb singing in a loud voice:" Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!" Revelation 7:10

All the time it focuses on Jesus Christ as the substitute sacrifice for the sin of the world in order that we may have salvation and peace. In one word is presented the full Gospel of God's love, the meaning of the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus, Gods forgiveness and the victory of Christ that he is going to share with his people in the world to come.

Adam means fall and defeat, pain and discouragement.

Christ, Lamb of God, means reconciliation, rising up and new life, peace, joy and hope.

For everyone who believes in him.

Amen.

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716