Our Lenten Devotion for Sunday, March 6, comes to us from Steadfast Love by Henri J.M. Nouwen
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!” John 1:29 NIV
“The Lamb of God”
“You, dear Lord, holy, spotless, innocent Lamb, are the only one who can truly offer a sacrifice to God and so enter into the heavenly sanctuary where you want to bring me with you into the presence of your Father.” (Heart Speaks to Heart, 41)
How do you suppose John knew who Jesus was, the “Lamb of God”? Was it in the way Jesus walked with a steady confidence heading in John’s direction? Or maybe it was the way Jesus looked at John with eyes of understanding and love … the way he looks at us. Nevertheless, John knew it was time for his disciples to take their eyes off him and put their eyes on Jesus, who would take away the sin of the world. What John told his disciples to do seems critically important for us still today, namely, focus on the One that really matters in this life: “The Lamb of God,” Jesus. Jesus, the “Good Shepherd,” comes to fill our hearts with faith to see what John saw, so that we begin to follow Jesus into the heavenly sanctuary of our Heavenly Father.
Friends –
Henri J.M. Nouwen reminds us to focus on Jesus, who came into our world so that we might focus on “The Lamb of God” instead of those around us who have earthly power or influence.
--Pastor bea
Prayer:
Lord, help me to see Jesus with eyes of faith as John did, and open my heart to believe that you truly are the Savior I’ve been waiting for. Amen.
--Henri J.M. Nouwen