January 12, 2026 | Be Connected
John Proclaims Jesus the Messiah
Scripture: John 1:29-34(NIV)
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
Devotional
In this brief passage, John the Baptist declares many things about the identity of Jesus:
Jesus is the Lamb of God. This refers back to the book of Exodus, when the blood of a lamb was placed above the doors of God’s people, protecting them from the death visiting all of Egypt.
Jesus takes away the sin of the world. Sin causes an eternal gap between us and a perfect God. No good deeds or religious practices can take that sin from us. But Jesus did just that!
Jesus existed before John. This is not a bit of confusion on John’s part, who was actually six months older than Jesus. It is a recognition that Jesus existed at the creation of everything!
Jesus received the Spirit of God at His baptism. When this took place, God declared, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).
Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, He gives us the Spirit of God to guide and empower us for a live of service in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus is God’s Chosen One. He is God’s anointed. He is the Messiah. He is the Christ. He is the Son of God!
Have you ever wondered if Jesus can handle all the worries and challenges of your life? Fret no more! He is Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who lived a perfect and sinless life, who died on the cross as your Savior, who rose from the dead as your Lord, who gives you the Holy Spirit for your walk with Him.
His name is Jesus!
