The One Who Is After Is Before

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!' 30 'This He of whom I said, "After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me." 31 'I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.' 32 And John bore witness, saying, ' I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 'I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." 34 'And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.'"
John 1:29-34

Just imagine the scene. John the Baptist is there at the Jordan River, baptizing people unto repentance for their sins. The religious leaders of the day have sent messengers to him, to inquire if he is the Messiah that has been prophesied about. I can picture John almost chuckling under his breath, thinking that the religious should be paying more attention. He answers them by saying that, no, the one who came after him and was before him (is John toying with them by this answer?) is the one whom he is unworthy to untie his sandal strap. And then it happens. He looks up, and there He is! Jesus is coming toward him!

Jesus is coming toward His cousin, John the Baptist. And John is so overcome, that he tells those there, whoever who will listen, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." And those words have significance for you and me in 2008, right where you live. Because you see, we are all sinners, and John was pointing out that we have a hope. Jesus is the Sacrificial Lamb, who provides the atoning sacrifice for our sins-yours, mine, the whole world. And John was pointing out to those around him, that, "There He is! HE is the Messiah! I saw the Spirit of God descend upon Him like a dove (so when you put those little doves on your car point them downward...)! And then John gives the most remarkable statement. He tells everyone that Jesus is the Son of God! That He is the one who will baptize not with water but with the Holy Spirit. Had they even HEARD of the Holy Spirit prior to this time? Glad you asked. The answer is a resounding "Yes!" The prophets in the Old Testament were filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and John was the last of the Old Testament prophets.

Beloved, you and I have the best opportunity in the world. We, as sinners, get to trade all of that junk in our life, the sin and the bondage to it that we experience, and trade it in for a life of freedom in Christ Jesus, all because He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. So we don't have to run around in bondage to this world and the world system to which the enemy tries to convince us we are slaves. So take heart. John the Baptist recognized Him, and so can you and me. All we have to do is get to know Him through His Word. Get into His Word and let His Word get into you! Shalom!