The Baptist's Message

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 look-out 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 Corinthians 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 point 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 takes 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. See 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. See verse 39.

5. To go forth and tell others of Jesus. See verses 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.

Specialities

In 1857, a day or two before preaching at the Crystal Palace, I went to decide where the platform should be fixed; and, in order to test the acoustic properties of the building, cried in a loud voice, “Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.” In one of the galleries, a workman, who knew nothing of what was being done, heard the words, and they came like a message from Heaven to his soul. He was smitten with conviction on account of sin, put down his tools, went home, and there, after a season of spiritual struggling, found peace and life by beholding the Lamb of God. Years after, he told this story to one who visited him on his death-bed.—C. H. S.

Notice, how simple the means, how grand the result! John simply declared, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Here is no vehement appeal, no angry rebuke, no feverish, would-be impressive urging; it is a simple, earnest declaration of God’s truth. What else have Christ’s servants to do but to set forth the truth, the gospel, the will of God, as revealed in the person and work of Christ? How much more important to give all our energy and strength to this, than to the attempt of enforcing and applying, threatening and inviting, urging and pressing, in perorations thundering or melting! The truth itself thunders and melts, rouses and whispers, bruises and comforts; entering into the soul, it brings with it light and power. How calm and objective do Christ’s sermons, and those of the apostles, appear! How powerful by the consciousness which pervades them: this is the truth of God, light from Heaven, power from above! “Behold the Lamb of God.”—Adolph Saphir.

It is related of John Wesley that, preaching to an audience of courtiers and noblemen, he used the “generation of vipers” text, and flung denunciation right and left. “That sermon should have been preached at Newgate,” said a displeased courtier to Wesley on passing out. “No,” said the fearless apostle, “my text there would have been, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.’ ”

Roger Clark, one of the English martyrs, when at the stake, cried out to the people, “Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.” How suitable such a cry from a saint about to seal his testimony with his blood!

No herald could live long in the wilderness on locusts and wild honey, if he had not to tell of a man or an era nobler than himself, and brighter than his own twilight-hour. John lived more truly on the prophecy he proclaimed than on the honey and locusts.—Dr. Parker.

A young telegraph operator was anxious about his soul. After a sleepless night, he went to his duties; while restless and absorbed in the thought of his being a sinner, he heard the click of his instrument, and, with great astonishment and emotion, spelt out this message:—

“From

—To

H——, J—— B——,

—Windermere.

—Warkworth.

‘Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world; in whom we have redemption, through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.’ ”

This was sent as an answer to a letter from a young man, who also was seeking peace. It acted as a double blessing, showing to both operator and receiver the way of salvation.