6.2 A New Understanding of the Messiah
“The Lamb of God” – An Unexpected Image of the Messiah

Read John 1:32–36. What does John the Baptist say about Jesus that people did not expect from the long-awaited Messiah?

John the Baptist introduces a revolutionary understanding of the Messiah to the Jewish world of His time. Instead of fulfilling the expectations of a powerful, political deliverer, John proclaims Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” This designation broke with the common notion of a Messiah who would overthrow the Romans and politically liberate Israel. Instead, “the Lamb of God” points to Jesus’ role as a sacrificial offering bearing the sins of the world—a concept that was initially foreign and difficult for many to accept.

By choosing the image of the “Lamb,” John refers to the Old Testament idea of the sacrificial lamb offered for the forgiveness of sins, particularly in the prophecy of Isaiah (“like a lamb led to the slaughter,” Isaiah 53:7). This new understanding of the Messiah as a redeemer through suffering and sacrifice called people to radically rethink their perspective. Instead of military might, God’s love and dedication were at the center of the divine plan.

John recognized Jesus as the Messiah through divine revelation. God gave John a sign—the Spirit descended on Jesus and remained with Him. This spiritual insight shows that true understanding of Jesus as the Christ does not arise from political or cultural expectations but solely through God’s revelation and wisdom, which touches our hearts.

This new understanding of the Messiah invites us to view our faith beyond worldly expectations and to comprehend the path of redemption through humility and sacrifice. It challenges us to trust God wholeheartedly and to see the Kingdom of God not as power or dominion over others but as an invitation to love, forgiveness, and dedication, which Jesus exemplified through His life and death.

How could we know the truth about Jesus as our sacrificial offering if it were not revealed to us? Why is it therefore very important to know the Bible and understand what it teaches about Jesus?

The truth about Jesus as our sacrificial offering—the “Lamb of God” who bears the sins of the world—is a spiritual revelation that can only be understood through divine revelation. Without this revelation, it would be nearly impossible for us to fully grasp the depth and purpose of Jesus’ life and death. The Bible is the primary source of this revelation, providing us with the knowledge of who Jesus truly is and what His role means for our redemption.

Here are some reasons why studying the Bible and understanding its teachings about Jesus are crucial:

1. The Bible Reveals God’s Plan of Redemption Scripture unfolds God’s plan of salvation, culminating in Jesus Christ. From the prophecies in the Old Testament to their fulfillment in the New Testament, we see a coherent picture that shows why Jesus had to come, what His sacrifice means, and how we can partake in it. Without this knowledge, we would miss the core of the Christian faith.

2. Deeper Understanding of the Sacrificial Offering In the Bible, we learn that Jesus died as a sacrificial offering for our sins. This goes beyond human logic and must be understood spiritually. By reading the Bible, we understand that Jesus’ death and resurrection took the punishment for our sins and paved the way for us to God. This faith brings us comfort and hope, enabling us to live in freedom and forgiveness.

3. Knowledge of God’s Love The Bible shows us that Jesus’ sacrifice is the highest expression of God’s love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16). Without Scripture, we could hardly comprehend the depth and radicalness of this love. It shows us that God’s love is unmerited and unconditional and that He invites us into a personal relationship with Him through Jesus.

4. The Bible Leads Us to Faith and Discipleship According to Romans 10:17, “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Only through the Bible do we learn what Jesus taught, how He lived, and what He expects from His followers. By knowing His life and words, we are strengthened in our faith and inspired to walk in His footsteps.

5. Protection from Misunderstandings and Deviations The Bible helps us gain a clear and correct picture of Jesus and His mission. Without it, we could easily follow a purely human or cultural understanding of the Messiah that misrepresents Jesus’ true nature and work. It protects us from shaping an image of Jesus that aligns with our own ideas instead of God’s truth.

6. Divine Revelation and Personal Relationship Scripture is more than a historical book; it is alive and works through the Holy Spirit in our hearts. When we read the Bible, God invites us to personally know Jesus and experience His presence. This is the foundation of a vibrant, trusting relationship with Him that helps us grow in faith.

The Bible is our key to understanding the depth of Jesus’ redemption and the gift of forgiveness. It enables us to not only understand the truth about Jesus but also to take it into our hearts. By studying God’s Word, we recognize how much God loves us and are strengthened to live in that love and share it with others.

The connection of this spiritual truth with our daily lives and faith lies in the changed perspective we gain by understanding Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” Here are concrete ways this revelation can influence our daily living and faith:

1. Humility and Dedication as Core Values Understanding that Jesus came to dedicate Himself and not to triumph politically teaches us the power of humility and dedication. This attitude can help us in everyday life to avoid seeking power or recognition and instead approach others with love. Instead of putting ourselves in the spotlight, we can ask how we can reflect God’s love in the small things of life.

2. A Life of Forgiveness and Acceptance Jesus’ sacrifice shows us that we are loved and accepted unconditionally, giving us the freedom to also forgive others. This perspective can transform our interpersonal relationships: when we are willing to forgive misunderstandings or mistakes and accept people in their imperfections, we live out the love Jesus demonstrated through His sacrifice.

3. A New Standard for Success and Fulfillment Instead of measuring success by material possessions or worldly status, we find our goal in following God’s plan and spreading His love. This attitude changes how we view careers, goals, and achievements. Daily life gains new depth when we focus on doing good and being a blessing to others.

4. Unwavering Faith Despite Worldly Expectations John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God, even though this went against the common expectations of a powerful, political Messiah. In our faith life, this reminds us not to succumb to the pressures of the world but to trust in God and His Word. When facing decisions in daily life, we can orient ourselves by this revelation and ask how we can act in a way that is humble and aligned with God’s love.

5. Faith as a Daily Relationship Jesus as the “Lamb of God” reminds us that faith is not just knowledge or tradition but a living, personal relationship with God. This understanding fosters a daily practice of prayer and Bible study to experience God’s love and be guided by His Spirit. When we consciously take time for our relationship with God, we experience how He strengthens and leads us in daily life.

6. Trust in God’s Plan and Wisdom Just as John the Baptist recognized Jesus’ true identity through divine revelation, we learn to trust God’s plan in our lives, even when we do not fully understand it. This can help us in difficult situations in daily life to rely on God’s wisdom and patiently wait for His guidance instead of seeking quick solutions ourselves.

Knowing Jesus as the Lamb of God changes our view of our lives and faith. This realization invites us to make visible the love, forgiveness, and sacrifice that Jesus exemplified in our daily lives, thus becoming authentic testimonies for God’s Kingdom.

True strength often lies in the ability to let go and dedicate oneself to something greater.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-6-more-testimonies-about-jesus-6-2-a-new-understanding-of-the-messiah-themes-in-the-gospel-of-john-living-faith/

November 4, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Acts Chapter 8

¹ And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

² And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

³ As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

⁴ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

⁵ Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

⁶ And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

⁷ For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

⁸ And there was great joy in that city.

⁹ But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

¹⁰ To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

¹¹ And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

¹² But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

¹³ Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

¹⁴ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

¹⁵ Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

¹⁶ (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

¹⁷ Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

¹⁹ Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

²⁰ But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

²¹ Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

²² Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

²³ For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

²⁴ Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

²⁵ And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

²⁶ And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

²⁷ And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

²⁸ Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

²⁹ Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

³⁰ And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

³¹ And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

³² The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

³³ In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

³⁴ And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

³⁶ And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

³⁷ And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

³⁸ And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

³⁹ And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

⁴⁰ But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Introduction:

Acts chapter 8 depicts a crucial phase of early Christianity, in which persecution and dispersion triggered a wider spread of the Gospel. The martyrdom of Stephen ignites a wave of violence against Christians in Jerusalem, driving them to various regions and thus extending Jesus’ mission beyond its boundaries. An outstanding servant, Philip, brings the Gospel to Samaria and encounters the Ethiopian eunuch, a man in search of truth who embraces the message of Jesus. This chapter illustrates the power of faith and the unstoppable progress of the Gospel despite the most adverse circumstances.

Commentary:

Chapter 8 is divided into several significant events that illustrate the path of Christian mission. The first scene shows how the persecution of the community in Jerusalem forces believers to disperse, thus bringing the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Saul, the future Apostle Paul, plays an active role as a persecutor of Christians, highlighting the contrasts between persecution and steadfast faith. The focus is on Philip, a deacon, who gains the attention of the people in Samaria through his preaching and miracles. Particularly striking is the encounter with Simon the Sorcerer, which brings about a conflict over the meaning and gift of the Holy Spirit. Simon, who is accustomed to controlling power and exerting influence, is reprimanded because he wants to acquire the gift of God through money. This confrontation emphasizes that faith and the gift of the Spirit cannot be bought through human means but are granted solely through a relationship with God.

Another important element is the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Here, the ideal of personal evangelism is demonstrated: the eunuch, who is reading God’s word, needs an explanation to understand the Gospel. Philip seizes the opportunity to bring him closer to Jesus Christ, and the eunuch promptly decides to be baptized. This scene shows that the message of the Gospel transcends all social and geographical boundaries and is also directed to people outside the Jewish tradition. The eunuch’s joy after his baptism is an expression of the profound inner change that the Gospel can effect in a life.

Summary:

Acts chapter 8 illustrates the power of faith and the scope of the mission. The persecution of Christians leads to the spread of the Gospel and marks the beginning of a global mission. Philip preaches in Samaria and also brings the Good News to the Ethiopian eunuch, who embraces the Gospel and is baptized. The story of the sorcerer Simon emphasizes the holiness and unsellability of the Holy Spirit, while the encounter with the eunuch shows that the Gospel touches the hearts of all people.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/4-11-2024-acts-chapter-8-believe-his-prophets/