The Lamb of God: John Fades, "Come and See"

Introduction

John 1:19-34 shows us a John the Baptist who receives an immense revelation: the one coming to him to be baptized is not merely his cousin, not just another rabbi. He is « the Lamb of God ». And this message is about to overturn his own place, that of his disciples, and the way each person is called to respond. In this sermon, Ben takes you to the banks of the Jordan to help you rediscover three things: who Jesus truly is, the radical humility of John the Baptist, and the invitation Jesus still extends to you today: « Come and see. »

Sermon Outline

1. Behold the Lamb of God: the revelation that changes everything

John the Baptist does not present Jesus as « his cousin » nor as an ordinary teacher, but as « the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ».
To understand the weight of this phrase, we need to place it back in Jewish culture: the first mention of a sacrificial lamb goes back to Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22), where God himself provides the lamb. This is already a foreshadowing of Jesus.
This passage is read every year in the synagogues at Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year feast. At Passover, the lamb returns. In Leviticus, for the forgiveness of sins, a lamb without blemish must be brought: the innocent one who bears the guilt of the guilty.
Isaiah announces it: « He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. » John the Baptist recognizes that very Lamb. This is a level of revelation far higher than that of the people, who are waiting for a political Messiah to drive out Rome.

2. The staggering humility of John the Baptist

John the Baptist has built a ministry: he baptizes crowds, he has disciples, his word is heeded. And yet he says: « He must increase, but I must decrease. »
When he declares « Behold the Lamb of God », his two disciples turn away from him to follow Jesus. He begins to lose his disciples… and he accepts it.
In our modern Christianity, we often measure success by the number of people in our churches. John the Baptist knows his calling and the limit of his calling. He knows he must fade into the background.
This is a death to self. He shows the way to the Messiah, but he accepts watching people leave him to attach themselves to Jesus.

3. « Come and see »: step out of your routine

The two disciples follow Jesus and ask him: « Where are you staying? » Jesus answers them: « Come and see. » They stay with him the whole day. It was about the tenth hour, that is, four in the afternoon.
The site of the baptism is opposite Jericho, at the very spot where the people of Israel crossed the Jordan to enter the promised land. Andrew and John came down from Capernaum for this: they stepped out of their everyday life.
In the Paris region, everything locks you into a routine: church on Sunday, a nap, the children's activities, prayer meeting, worship group, and you wait for the holidays. Is that really what the Christian life is?
Jesus calls you to step out: out of your Bethsaida, your Capernaum, your Nazareth. Out of the rut and into his presence, to listen to him speak, and to let yourself be transformed.

4. A historical fresco: why the people cry out for a liberator

To understand the expectation of the Messiah, Ben unfolds a 2000-year fresco of Jewish history.
Around 2000 BC: God promises Abraham « leave your father's house » and tells him that all nations will be blessed through him.
Around 1700 BC: Joseph is sold by his brothers, the family goes down into Egypt, and the people become slaves there for 400 years.
Moses frees the people, God makes a covenant with him: « You shall be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. »
Around 1000 BC: Saul, David, Solomon. The kingdom is united, the temple is built. Then, at the end of Solomon's reign, the kingdom splits and idolatry takes hold.
The prophets announce the deportation. Isaiah (700 BC), then Babylon (590 BC), the destruction of the temple, the exile, the episode of Esther, the return under Cyrus (515 BC).
Malachi (430 BC) announces: « Behold, I will send my messenger, he will prepare the way before me. » It is this messenger that John the Baptist embodies.
Alexander the Great (330 BC), the Maccabean revolt (160 BC), Roman occupation (63 BC): 600 years of occupation. The people cry out for a political liberator.
But God sends a Lamb. John the Baptist has the spiritual insight to recognize, in the man who comes to him, not the king everyone is waiting for, but the Lamb who will be sacrificed.

5. The gaze of Jesus that defines your destiny

Andrew runs to find his brother Simon. John runs to find his brother James. What they experienced that day is so overwhelming that they want to tell those close to them.
When Simon arrives, Jesus looks at him and says: « You are Simon, you shall be called Cephas » (Peter).
In human eyes, Peter is not the best choice to build the Church: impetuous, impulsive, indecisive, unable to follow through on his decisions. But Jesus sees beyond the character of the moment. He sees a destiny. He proclaims it even though it is not yet visible.
This is what Jesus does for you. You find yourself worthless, small, weak in your troubles. Go to Jesus, listen to his voice, let him pierce you with his gaze so that he may come and define who you are and what your destiny is on this earth.
Your destiny is not just to have children and prepare an inheritance for them. That is the lot of those who live without God. God has called you to a destiny: as Mordecai says to Esther, « who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this? »

6. Nathanael under the fig tree: God sees you

Philip runs to find Nathanael and tells him: « We have found him of whom Moses wrote: Jesus of Nazareth. » Nathanael doubts: can anything good come out of Nazareth?
Unbelief, rationality, reason can disqualify you in advance. But the invitation remains the same: come, come and see. As Malachi writes, put the Lord to the test. Take him at his word.
When Nathanael approaches, Jesus says: « Behold, truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit. » Nathanael asks: « How do you know me? » Jesus answers: « Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. »
Nathanael was probably under the fig tree praying desperately: « God, do you see me? » Perhaps at this very moment, someone in a secret place is offering this same prayer: « Where are you? Do you see me? » Jesus sees. This is a word of knowledge, a spiritual gift.

7. Jacob's ladder: heaven is open above you

Jesus tells Nathanael: « You will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. »
This refers back to Jacob's dream in Genesis 28: a ladder resting on the earth, its top reaching heaven, with the angels ascending and descending, and the Lord renewing his promise.
The angels ascend and descend. This means they are already there, around Jesus.
Today, where is Jesus? He is in you, because you are the temple of the Spirit. Heaven remains open above Jesus, and the angels continue to ascend and descend.
Wherever you find yourself — at school, at the office, in a store, in the street — it is a place of authority. Not because you are strong or perfect, but because Jesus lives in you. Where Jesus is, darkness cannot reign.

Key Takeaways

John the Baptist does not present Jesus as « his cousin » but as « the Lamb of God » — this is the revelation that runs through the whole of biblical history since Abraham.
True spiritual greatness is the humility of John the Baptist: knowing the limit of his calling and accepting to fade before Christ.
« Come and see » is not a slogan: it is a call to step out of routine to meet Jesus personally.
The gaze of Jesus defines your destiny — he sees who you are becoming, not just who you are now.
Because Jesus lives in you, heaven is open above your life: wherever you go, you carry a place of spiritual authority.

Personal Application

Do you present Jesus as « the Lamb of God » or as a familiar figure you have reduced to your own scale?
Are you ready, like John the Baptist, to accept decreasing so that Christ may increase in your life and in your ministry?
From what spiritual routine is Jesus calling you to step out today, to come and spend time with him?
What is the name, the destiny that Jesus wants to speak over your life, beyond what you see in yourself?
Where are the fig trees of your life — those secret places where you pray, « God, do you see me? » Dare to believe that he already sees you.

Scriptures Cited

John 1:19-34 — The testimony of John the Baptist, « Behold the Lamb of God »
John 1:35-51 — « Come and see », Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, the ladder
Genesis 22 — Abraham and Isaac, God provides the lamb
Genesis 28 — Jacob's dream, the ladder that touches heaven
Isaiah 53 — « He was led like a lamb to the slaughter »
Malachi 3:1 — « Behold, I will send my messenger »
Malachi 4:5-6 — The spirit of Elijah that turns hearts back
Esther 4:14 — « Who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this? »

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does John the Baptist call Jesus « the Lamb of God » when he is his cousin?

Because John the Baptist received a spiritual revelation that goes far beyond the family tie. In Jewish culture, the lamb evokes Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22), the Passover, the sacrifices of Leviticus, and Isaiah 53's announcement of the suffering servant. By calling Jesus this, John the Baptist recognizes that he is the one who will take away the sin of the world through his sacrifice, and not merely a political liberator as the people expected.

What does « Come and see » concretely mean for my life today?

It is a call to step out of the spiritual routine that can trap you: Sunday church, activities, a full schedule, and waiting for the holidays. Jesus invites you to leave your personal « Capernaum » to come and spend real time with him, to listen to him speak, to let yourself be transformed. It is not religious consumption; it is an encounter that makes you run toward others, just as Andrew runs to find Peter.

How can I know what my destiny in Christ is?

The gaze of Jesus defines your destiny: he sees beyond your character in the moment, beyond your weaknesses and failures, he sees who he has called you to become. Just as he named Simon « Peter » when nothing in the man suggested it, he wants to give you a name and a calling. Draw near to him, listen to his voice, let him speak over your life: that is where your destiny in God is revealed.

All sermons on "Engagement"

Never miss a sermon from Église CVV : le Chemin la Vérité et la Vie

A clear summary of every new message, delivered to you.

to take notes and ask questions.