Names of Christ: Who do you say that I am?

²⁹ The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ³¹ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” ³² And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. ³³ I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”^[i]

³⁵ The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶ and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

John 1:29-37

What nicknames have you been given? What do people call you? What would you ask people to call you? One of the names used for Jesus is “The Lamb of God”. His cousin (the prophet) John the Baptist identified Jesus as such one day.

In a culture where “sacrificial lambs” and “scapegoats” were parts of the worship life, this title would have made sense in connection with the forgiveness of sins.

In our day and in our lives, where forgiveness is still needed, we follow our Lord as the Lamb of God.

Prayer

Loving Lord, help us accept the forgiveness of our sins that comes as we embrace You as the Lamb of God. And help us to focus on the various titles and names others have used for You, as we revel in how You touch us daily as our Gracious Savior, King, Brother…. Amen.