16th Jan, 2011
2nd Sunday After Epiphany
Text::
John 1:29b "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."
We are grateful to God once again that we have come to His house to share in His word.
Isaiah and the other prophets gave prophesies that described the new era of liberty and joy which the long-awaited Messiah would bring as promised to Abraham.
These prophesies were studied by devout Jews and was evident in the prayer that Simeon prayed for the baby Jesus. Because of his saintly life, Simeon had been promised that he would live to see the promised Messiah. This promise was fulfilled when the baby Jesus was brought to the temple. Simeon carried him in his arms and prayed for him – Lk2 27-32.
Lu 2:27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;
30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."
Two thousand years on, we today can also sing the song of Simeon with heart-felt joy and gratitude; for we can see, with the eyes of faith, that our saviour, the Son of God has come among us and enlightened us with the true knowledge of the real purpose of our life on earth.
Simeon’s testimony about Jesus was that he will be a light to the Gentiles.
John the Baptist paid a spontaneous tribute to Jesus: the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world; the Son of God.
John 1:29 b "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."
To John, the Lamb of God was greater and more valuable than the Passover lamb, which had to be offered every year - Ex 12:11-14 - He knew this because he was the son of a priest.
Ex 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.
13 The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
14 "This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as an ordinance for ever..
The Lamb of God was a once-for-all sacrifice. Jesus the Christ is the one true sacrifice which can deliver us from death. Through his death on the cross our sins are forgiven.
John made it clear what his own function was i.e. to bring men to Christ; so he claimed no greatness for himself. He introduced two of his own disciples to Jesus and they went and followed him. His disciples deserted him. But he must decrease while Christ increased.
Andrew was a man with a ‘missionary heart’. When he found the Messiah, he first introduced his brother Simon (Peter). His testimony was that ‘we have found the Messiah’
What is your testimony about Christ?
As we mark Evangelism Week this week, let us use the opportunity that comes our way to testify about Jesus. When we testify about the love and goodness of God, it would challenge others to give their lives to Christ.
If we can win a soul a month this year, we bring12 souls to the saving knowledge of Christ and when He comes into his Kingdom, we would have a place there with him.
In the Second Service, Sis Doris Achampong’s Sermon was more interactive.
God testified about Jesus by saying ‘this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’.
Jesus testified about himself when he said ‘I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me’.
The woman of Samaria, after her discourse with Jesus went back to the village and gave a testimony about Jesus ‘John 4:28 So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ? ’’
What is our testimony about Jesus?
Jesus is our Healer, our sustainer, our glory and the lifter of our heads.
She asked the men what they would do at home to be able to testify about Jesus; and Bro David Nyako said he will forgive his wife for whatever she does. The men agreed with him.
Our daily lives must be a testimony about Jesus. A testimony that He lives in us.
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