169. The Baptist's Message.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. - John 1:29.

PLACES and times become memorable when linked with our Lord; hence we are told what was done at Bethabara on such a day, and what happened on "the next day."

Let us treasure holy memories with great care—especially memories of Jesus—times when we saw the Lord.

In the case before us the preacher was a notable man, and his theme more notable still. John the Baptist preaches Jesus.

We have here a model for every minister of Christ.

I. THE TRUE MESSENGER.

1. He is one who sees Jesus for himself. There was a time when John did not know the Christ, but in due time the Holy Spirit pointed him out (verse 33). The true herald of Jesus is like John ---

· He is on the lookout for his Lord's appearing.

· He rejoices to preach Jesus as one whom he has himself seen and known, and still hopes to see.

· He preaches him as come, and as coming.

2. He calls upon men to see Jesus. "Behold the Lamb of God."

· This he does plainly and confidently.

· This he does continually— it is his one message. John preached the same sermon "again the next day after" (verse 35).

· This he does earnestly and emphatically. "Behold!"

3. He leads his own followers to Jesus. John's disciples heard John speak, and followed Jesus (verse 37).

· He had enough force to induce men to be his followers.

· He had enough humility to induce his followers to leave him for Jesus. This is the glory of John the Baptist.

· He had enough grace to make him rejoice that it was so.

Our speech should make men go beyond ourselves to Christ. "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord" (2 Cor. 4:5.)

4. He loses himself in Jesus.

· He sees the necessity of this "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

· He sees the propriety of this: he knows himself to be only the Bridegroom's friend, and not the Bridegroom (John 3:29).

Blessed is that minister of whom all these points can be asserted.

II. THE TRUE MESSAGE.

John's word was brief, but emphatic.

1. He declared Jesus to be sent and ordained "of God".

2. He declared him to be the one real, divinely-appointed sacrifice for sin — "the Lamb of God."

3. He declared him to be the only remover of human guilt — "which taketh away the sin of the world."

4. He declared him to be set forth as the object of faith — "Behold the Lamb" He exhorted his hearers to look at him with that look which saves.

The end of all ministries and ordinances is to bring men to look to Jesus. Both John, who ran before, and we, who run after, must point in the same direction.

III. THE TRUE RECEPTION OF THAT MESSAGE.

The conduct of John's disciples shows that our true wisdom concerning gospel testimony is—

1. To believe it, and so to acknowledge Jesus as our sin-removing sacrifice.

2. To follow Jesus (verse 37).

3. To follow Jesus, even if we be alone. These were the vanguard of the vast hosts who have since followed Jesus. They knew not what suffering it might involve, but went first and foremost.

4. To abide with Jesus (verse 39).

5. To go forth and tell others of Jesus (verse 40 and 41).

Here, then, is a lesson for those who preach. John's sermon was short, but full of Jesus, and effectual for soul-winning. Imitate him.

Here also is an example for those who have believed.

Here is a gospel for those who hitherto have not known the Savior.