Posted at Reformation Scotland:
Although the birth of Jesus was the turning-point of history it was still only an early step on the path He was purposefully taking towards His atoning death and glorious resurrection. With only a few exceptions, people didn’t recognise Him at His birth or throughout His childhood. It was not until His public ministry began, in His adulthood, that the good news started ringing out, “We have found the Messiah!” Two men chatting with John had their attention caught when Jesus was walking away from them. In the following updated extract, George Hutcheson takes us through John’s concern to point out the Lamb of God, the disciples’ longing to know Christ better, and then the impulse in every believer to bring others to know the Lord too.Preachers must preach Christ
When Christ comes by, John points him out as the true sacrifice for sin, to the two disciples he was with (i.e., those who had embraced his doctrine, and were more than ordinary hearers). “John stood, and two of his disciples. And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God” (vv.35–36).
As Christ does not fail to cast opportunities of well-doing in His servants’ way, so they ought to neglect no occasion of doing good, and of leading people to Christ. John had given testimony to Him the previous day, and today, as He walks by them, now going away, John will preach Him and point Him out, even to only two disciples.
Christ’s faithful servants will make conscience to exalt Him, and to lead people to Him, and not to themselves. Not only in public, where many may observe, but even in their most private conversations, it will be their care that those who respect them most would be led away from them to Christ.
A sight of Christ is not only an opportunity but a notable help to enable ministers to preach and point Him out to others. As John was looking on Jesus as He walked, he is encouraged to commend Him, and likewise a sight and enjoyment of His spiritual presence will notably equip ministers to speak of Him.
It is the duty of faithful ministers to be much in preaching Christ crucified, and pointing Him out as the only propitiatory sacrifice for sin. That is why John again points Him out in this way, “Behold the Lamb of God!” This is both a chief point of Christian knowledge, and a powerful means of conversion.