[0:00] Now with the Lord's help it is turn to consider words we have before us in this chapter we've read together. The Gospel according to John in chapter 1.
[0:21] And we may read again at verse 35. Again the next day after John stood and two of his disciples and looking upon Jesus as he walked he saith behold the Lamb of God. And the two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned and saw them following and said unto them what seek ye? They said unto him Rabbi which is to say being interpreted Master where dwellest thou? And he saith unto them come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt and abhor with him that day for it was about the tenth hour.
[1:12] One of the two which heard John speak and followed him was Andrew Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon and saith unto him we have found the Messiah which is being interpreted the Christ.
[1:29] The Gospel of John begins in a wonderful way in that the opening words take to do with God in eternity. God in eternity. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.
[2:08] The same was in the beginning with God. It's as if he brings us all the way back as it were to the origin. It's as if he brings us to the origin of everything. It's as if he brings us to the origin of the origin of everything. That God in three persons in his eternal blessedness is mentioned.
[2:32] And that was from the very beginning of time that was the case. And from all of eternity that was the case. And he brings his thought into time in the third verse by saying all things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of men and the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not. It's as if he is bringing wonderful depths before us in these opening verses. But then in verse 6 he says there was a man sent from God whose name was John. And John came, that is John the Baptist, came to be a witness or to bear witness of the light, that is to bring the Christ before us. He was sent to bear witness of the light.
[3:37] He was the one who pointed out who Jesus was. And we see as this chapter goes on, that in verse 29 he sees Jesus coming unto him and he says, behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.
[4:03] Wonderful words. The Lamb of God. References are often made in the Old Testament to the Lamb of God.
[4:20] You've come across in the book of Exodus chapter 12 talking there about the Passover Lamb that was put to death in Egypt. And the blood of the Lamb was put upon the lintels and the doorposts of the dwelling houses of the Israelites.
[4:39] So that when the angel of death that went through the land of Egypt that night might see the blood and pass over. So it was a Passover Lamb. The blood of the Lamb indicated that the family inside the house were covered and were safe.
[4:59] And we see also throughout the Old Testament, particularly in Exodus and 29, there was a lamb sacrificed every morning and every evening in Israel.
[5:11] A burnt offering. Isaiah passage 53. He is taken as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep before our shearers is dumb.
[5:23] So he opened not his mouth. And that reference is to Christ in his sufferings. He was wounded for our transgressions. Bruised for our iniquities.
[5:34] The chastisement of our peace was upon him. And by his stripes we are healed. And John the Baptist here, he fulfills the task to which the Lord called him.
[5:48] When he came into the world, he came as the one who was going to point Christ out to the population around him. And in these marvellous words in verse 29, Behold, he says, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
[6:06] What an amazing verse that is. A marvellous verse full of theology. Full of reconciling power.
[6:18] And full of invitation for us in our sinful state to behold him. That we might commit ourselves to him.
[6:31] And receive him as our own saviour. But then, down in verse 36, we see John the Baptist.
[6:45] The following day, the next day after, it says in verse 35, John stood on two of his disciples. And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God.
[6:58] Same words. Without the explanatory phrase, that taketh away the sin of the world. But, behold the Lamb of God.
[7:11] And I'd like to focus for a few moments on that text that he used. Behold the Lamb of God. And secondly, the effect it had on two of John the Baptist's disciples.
[7:29] The disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus. In verse 37. The sermon, behold the Lamb of God.
[7:42] And the effect of the sermon, these two followed Jesus. And thirdly, Jesus' response to those who had just started following him.
[7:56] It says in verse 38, Jesus turned and saw them following. And asks this question. What seek ye?
[8:09] You're following me? But what is it really you're after? What are you seeking? And then they respond, in the second part of verse 38.
[8:20] They said unto him, Rabbi, which is to say being interpreted, Master, where dwellest thou? They wanted to know himself better and to know more of him.
[8:36] They wanted to be in his company. And then Jesus' response to them. He said unto them, come and see.
[8:48] Where do you dwell? Oh, come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt. And they abode with him that day. For it was about the tenth hour.
[9:00] One or two thoughts on these verses. First of all, behold the Lamb of God.
[9:13] Now there are a thousand sermons in these words themselves. But just to touch again on what we've mentioned already. Regarding the significance of the sacrificial lamb.
[9:27] Right through the Old Testament scriptures. And we see that the lamb had to be of a particular type. It must be a male lamb.
[9:39] It must be a year old. It must be examined thoroughly. So that there be no defect in the lamb at all. And that is an indication of what Christ is like.
[9:56] He is the one in whom there is no defect. He is the sinless one. Although he took human nature to himself.
[10:07] He took human nature to him that was without sin. He wasn't born by ordinary generation. Like each one of us has been.
[10:18] But the Holy Spirit came upon Mary. The Virgin Mary his mother. And the power of the Lord overcame her. And she conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.
[10:30] And that holy thing born from her. Was none other than the eternal Son of God in human nature. The eternal Son.
[10:45] The divine Son of God. He at the point of conception. Took human nature. And united it to his eternal person.
[10:56] So that the babe in her womb. And the child born from the Virgin Mary. And the child who grew up. Became a man.
[11:07] He was none other than the God man. Having two distinct natures. In one person forever. And John the Baptist says.
[11:20] Here he is. Behold the Lamb of God. He is perfect in every way. He is perfect in his thinking. He has no sinful thoughts.
[11:32] He utters no imperfect words or phrases. His steps are consecrated in every direction he walks. All his doings are perfect.
[11:43] He lives a sinless and a perfect life. Not one individual can accuse him of sin. He is the one who is perfect and holy in every aspect of his life.
[11:58] In his soul and in his body. But then John the Baptist brings something before us. And it says in verse 29.
[12:12] Behold the Lamb of God. Who takes away the sin of the world. You see. Although he himself is holy.
[12:26] And sinless in himself. Nevertheless as the mediator. And the saviour of his people. He took upon himself.
[12:37] The sins of his people. Not that he was guilty of any sin himself. He nevertheless became the sin bearer. Of his people.
[12:55] You know that in the Old Testament. When people brought a sacrifice. To be offered to the Lord. At the tabernacle or at the temple. When they were offering the sacrifice.
[13:06] And the sacrifice being put to death. They had to put their hands. On the head of the sacrifice. As it were transferring. Their own sin or guilt.
[13:19] Onto this animal. That was going to be sacrificed. In their place. And that is true. Regarding the Lord Jesus.
[13:31] The sins of every elect individual. Were imputed to him. As the saviour of their souls.
[13:43] God himself imputed. Every sin. Of which you and I. If we are elect people. They were imputed to him.
[13:55] And he was the sin bearer. Bearing the sin. Bearing the sin. Of every elect individual. In every age. Throughout the world. Whoever they are.
[14:08] Wherever they are. He was. The bearer of their sin. The Bible reminds us. That sin is such a heinous thing.
[14:23] And. Abhorrent to God. That one sin. Is enough. To cast us into eternal fire.
[14:34] One sin. One sin of thought. But the fact that. We are Adam's. Family.
[14:48] The sin. And the guilt of Adam's first sin. Is imputed to us. And we come into this world. Carrying original sin.
[15:01] And every aspect of sin. Of which we are guilty. The Lord Jesus. Bored.
[15:13] Himself. If indeed we are his people. And John the Baptist says. Behold the Lamb of God. And at the moment. He saw him in verse 29.
[15:24] He's carrying this burden. He is taking away. The sin of the world. He is the sin bearer. And he is.
[15:36] Moving towards the place. Where he is going to deal. Once and for all. With the sin of his people. And the next day.
[15:50] John sees. Jesus. Walking. And he said. Behold the Lamb of God. It sounds as if.
[16:01] The two disciples. Mentioned in verse 37. May have. Overheard. What John the Baptist said. In verse 29. Behold the Lamb of God.
[16:13] Who takes away the sin of the world. And this then. The following day. They heard. The same text. And they're intrigued. And they're drawn. And the text.
[16:25] Makes a mark. Upon their minds. And upon their hearts. And upon their affections. The two disciples. Heard him speak. And what was the effect.
[16:38] It says here. In verse 37. They followed. Jesus. They had been following. John the Baptist already. They had been.
[16:49] Enjoying his preaching. They had been listening. To what he was saying. But now. The one of whom. John the Baptist. Had been. Speaking. And regarding.
[17:00] Whom. He had been. Teaching. The people. He appeared. Jesus. And these two men. The disciples. Of John the Baptist. When they saw Jesus.
[17:13] They followed him. Maybe. You've had this kind of experience. Yourself. Under the gospel preaching.
[17:26] Maybe. You've heard hundreds of sermons. Thousands of sermons. And all of a sudden. Or even gradually. The sermons that you hear.
[17:39] Begin to. Soak into your very heart. And you know that. There's something there for you. And it draws you.
[17:51] It draws you in such a way. That you cannot just. Hold back. And you begin. Following. Jesus. You're not following.
[18:04] Your minister. These two men. Weren't following. John the Baptist. Rather. When Jesus. Made himself. Known to them. And they realized.
[18:14] Who he was. They started. Following. Him. We pray. That many. Many more. Will start. Following.
[18:24] The Lord Jesus. But we see here. That Jesus. Turned. And he's aware. Of these two men. Following him.
[18:34] And he saw them. Following him. And said to them. What seek ye? What are you looking for?
[18:46] Why are you following me? And that's an appropriate question. For every one of us. To ask. Of ourselves. Why are we here.
[18:57] This evening? And those of us. Who are following the Lord. Why are we following him? What's the motive? What motivates us?
[19:08] What's our aim? What's our desire? Well there are some people. Probably. Who are happy enough.
[19:20] Just to be. Named. Christians. And they go through the motions. They come and go from church. Along with the people of God. And all of that.
[19:31] And they're. Named. As one of the congregation. And it's as if. You are equated with. The Christian community. Well that's not good enough.
[19:44] That's not the kind of following. That the Lord here. Is looking for. We may. Follow the Lord. For various reasons.
[19:56] That are quite unhealthy. But these people. When the Lord asked them. What are you seeking? Well they.
[20:08] Revealed. Quite quickly. That they were seeking him. For himself. Where are you.
[20:19] Dwelling. It's you we want. It's not just. That we want to be. Loosely associated. With those who are following you.
[20:31] But we want to know. More. Of yourself. And isn't that true. In every real. Christians experience. They want to know.
[20:42] More of Jesus. They want to be more. In his company. Know what the song of Solomon says. The very opening. Of the song of Solomon. The church is saying there.
[20:54] Let him kiss me. With the kisses of his mouth. For your love is better than wine. Well that's an amazing statement. Isn't it?
[21:05] But it's a clear statement. Of her love for him. And her respect for him. And her longing for his fellowship. And his company. And his life.
[21:17] Giving influence. Upon her heart and soul. Where are you dwelling? And he said to them.
[21:27] Come and see. Come and see. Now where do you think Jesus. Was dwelling? Well I don't know.
[21:39] He was living somewhere. He was. Under someone's roof. Probably. Although he says. At another time. That foxes have holes. And the birds of the air have nests.
[21:51] But the son of man. Hath nowhere. Where he can lay his head. I don't know where he was dwelling. But the point I want to make here is. That they came.
[22:03] To see. Himself. Where he was dwelling. And could I become a little bit more theological here.
[22:15] For a moment. If you asked. Where is he dwelling? Well first and foremost. He is still dwelling.
[22:27] In the Trinity. He is still God the Son. He is still the man. He is still the man. Although he. As Jesus Christ. In human nature.
[22:38] In this world. He is still one of the eternal Trinity. And he still dwells there. Although he is the man of sorrows.
[22:49] And acquainted with grief. He is still the eternal God. He is the one who created the universe. He is the light of the world.
[23:00] He is the bread of life. He is all of these things. Even as he is found. By these two men. Seemingly.
[23:10] An ordinary looking man. In Galilee. Nevertheless. He is none other. Than the eternal God. The second person.
[23:21] So he is dwelling in the Trinity. And where else is he dwelling? Well could I suggest. That he is dwelling. Secondly.
[23:31] Secondly. In the eternal purpose of God. For the salvation. Of sinners. God from all eternity.
[23:43] Purposed. That he would have a people for himself. And God the Son. In eternity. Agreed in the councils of redemption. Agreed to come. In the fullness of times.
[23:55] And be the sin bearer. And the mediator. And the sacrifice. To make atonement for them. That was God's eternal purpose.
[24:06] And if these men are asking. Where are you dwelling? Well. Besides being in the Trinity. He is in the eternal purpose of God.
[24:19] fulfilling that purpose. That purpose. Minutely. And where did that purpose take him? Well that purpose took him.
[24:34] To the womb of the Virgin. And he dwelt there. For nine months. And that purpose took him.
[24:46] Into the world. In Bethlehem. There was no room for them in the inn. And there they were.
[24:58] In a difficult situation. When Mary bore her child. And brought him into the world. She laid him in a manger. And wrapped him in swaddling cloths.
[25:14] Where do you dwell? But he was also dwelling at the carpenter's bench. As a young man. And he went on from there.
[25:27] And he went to the place of baptism. And he was baptized by John the Baptist. And the heaven opened. And after he had baptized him. And the voice of the Father from heaven said.
[25:38] This is my beloved son. In whom I am well pleased. Hear him. And now he has come to the point where he is ongoing.
[25:52] In the service of God. And fulfilling God. And fulfilling God's purpose. In every detail. Where are you dwelling?
[26:05] Where will you dwell from here? Well he could say couldn't he? Well I am going. Into the darks.
[26:16] The darkness of Gethsemane. And there I am going to pray. Father if it's possible. For this cup to pass by me.
[26:29] Please let it be. But not my will. But your will be done. And he came back. And he prayed more earnestly. So that his sweat.
[26:42] Poured out. As if it were great drops of blood. Falling upon the earth. Oh is this the end. Of your trial.
[26:52] And of your pain Lord. No I have another place to go. I have to go. From Gethsemane. To Calvary.
[27:05] And it's as if the shadow. Of Calvary. Is cast. All along my life. The shadow of the cross. From the moment I came into the world.
[27:18] I walk in that shadow. And at last. I am going to. Go to the hill of Golgotha. Where dwellest thou?
[27:33] I am going to dwell. On the cross. Crucified between two thieves. How long are you going to dwell on the cross?
[27:46] I am going to dwell on the cross. Until the work is finished. What will that involve? It will involve experiencing.
[27:58] The outpouring of the undiluted wrath of God. Against sin. The sin that I am bearing. On behalf of unworthy.
[28:09] And undeserving sinners. And when will it be finished? It will be finished. When God's justice is fully satisfied.
[28:26] Where do you dwell? I am dwelling on the cross. Until I commit my spirit. Into my father's hands.
[28:38] And is that the end? No. The end of my humiliation. As. The sin bearer. And.
[28:49] The mediator of my people. Is that I be buried in the earth. And that I. Remain. Under the power of death. For a time.
[29:00] Where do you dwell? The grave. With its.
[29:11] Voracious appetite. Thought. It had had his. Best. Feast of all. When the human nature of Christ.
[29:22] Was laid. In the heart of the earth. Death. Was ecstatic. Between death. And the grave. They thought they had.
[29:33] The prince of life. In a permanent. State of death. But where. Are you going to dwell? I am only dwelling.
[29:46] In the grave. For a time. On the morning. Of the resurrection. I am rising. And for 40 days. My followers.
[29:56] Will see me. And I will speak to them. And pronounce. Benedictions. Upon them. And then. I will. Rise from the earth.
[30:07] Ascend. On high. And sit. At the right hand. Of the majesty. On high. That's my permanent. Position. Until my second.
[30:19] Coming. When I will bring. The people of God. Whom I. Died to redeem. Bring them. To myself. And they will enjoy.
[30:29] My fellowship. Forever. And ever. That's where I want to dwell. Isn't this what he prayed for?
[30:40] Father I will. That they also. Whom thou hast given me. Be with me where I am. That they may behold. My glory. He said to them.
[30:54] Come and see. Have you come. To see where he dwells. Have you come.
[31:04] To delight. In considering. Where he dwells. Where he has come. To dwell for you. Come to dwell. In human nature.
[31:14] As a man of sorrows. As a sin bearer. As one who. Went to the cross. As I quoted already. Who was wounded. For your transgressions.
[31:26] Bruised for your iniquities. Upon whom the chastis. Meant of your peace. Was laid. And by whose stripes. Healing comes to your life. Come and see him.
[31:40] Look at him. With the eye of faith. Just like. Banyan's pilgrim. When he came. With his great burden. Upon his back. And he came to the cross.
[31:52] And he looked up. And there he saw. The crucified saviour. And the burden. Fell off his back. Rolled over and over. Into the open grave.
[32:04] And he saw it no more. And he started singing. Blessed cross. Blessed sacrifice. Blessed rather be the man.
[32:15] That there. Was put to shame. For me. Come and see him. He is. On the pages of scripture.
[32:27] Scripture is full of him. His fragrance. Is on the pages of scripture. As you read from the first words of Genesis. Right through to the end of the Bible.
[32:38] At Revelation. It is full of Christ. Where do you dwell? He dwells in the scriptures. Where do you dwell? He dwells at the throne of grace.
[32:50] And he says. Ask and it shall be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock the door and it will be opened. Unto you. He is there. Able and willing.
[33:01] To answer our prayers. To do for us. Far more than we can ask him. Or even think. He is in the means of grace.
[33:13] Please come to hear the word of God. On a regular basis. Because this is where he promises to be. Where the two or three. Are gathered together in his name.
[33:25] There am I. In the midst of them. He said to them. Come and see. They came. Verse 39.
[33:37] And saw where he dwelt. And this is no surprise. They abode with him. That day. I think that's an amazing phrase.
[33:50] In that particular verse. They abode with him that day. It's as if. They were in the company of the one. Who had won their heart.
[34:00] The company of the one. Who had saved their soul. The company of the one. Who spoke peace to their soul. The company of the one. Who had done everything for them. And promises glory.
[34:13] At the last. Who wouldn't. Stay with them. That day. It's about the tenth hour. I think the tenth hour is significant.
[34:26] In the reckoning of time. During the days of John. The tenth hour would have been. About 4 p.m.
[34:38] Our time. Because the day started at 6 a.m. And the tenth hour. Was around the time. That the evening sacrifice.
[34:50] Would be offered. At the temple. The lamb offered. At the temple. At the same time. As they were being interviewed. And enjoying this conversation.
[35:02] With the lamb of God himself. And I'm sure. If. If you will allow me to say so. That he would have made reference.
[35:13] To that very thing. The lamb being sacrificed. At the temple. Really typifies. My sacrifice. They stayed with him.
[35:28] It was about the tenth hour. Have you had a moment. Or two. Of his fellowship. Have you had a moment.
[35:38] Or two. Of his peace. Have you seen a glimpse. For a moment. Of his glory. Well if so. The world.
[35:49] Will change forever. For you. It won't hold. The same attraction. It is not such a beautiful. Desirable place. For you to.
[36:01] Spend your own time. In your own way. It will certainly be. A place for you. To serve him. But really. Once you see him.
[36:13] Everything else. Becomes. Pale. And then in verse 40.
[36:24] One of the two. Who heard John speak. And followed him. Was Andrew. Simon. Peter's brother. He first. Findeth his own brother. Simon. And saith to him.
[36:35] We have found. The Messiah. Which is being interpreted. The Christ. Couldn't hold it. To himself. Couldn't keep it.
[36:45] To himself. I have tasted. Of honey. That this world. Does not know. I have tasted. Of a fellowship. That this world.
[36:57] Cannot provide. For me. This is the Messiah. This is the bread. From heaven. This is. The saviour. Of my soul. And I've got to tell.
[37:07] My brother. When you think of. The fourth chapter. In the gospel of John. You find.
[37:18] Jesus conducting. Another interview. That. Time with the woman. Of Samaria. And he shows her. What she's like.
[37:29] He lets her know. That he knows her. To the very core. And. She said. Trying to avoid.
[37:40] Further. Interrogation. By him. Or she said. When the Messiah comes. He'll tell us. Everything. And you know what he said. I. Who speak to you.
[37:52] Am he. And what do we see her doing then. Having come out to the well. To. Get water. For her. Home.
[38:02] She leaves her water pot. It's as if she's saying. I'm finished with that kind of lifestyle. That has been the parting of the ways. For me. I'm no longer going to live the way I was living before.
[38:15] Because I've met the Messiah. And what then did she do? She went into the city. And told the men. Come. See a man who's told me everything that I've ever done.
[38:28] Is this not the Christ? And they all responded and came out. To see him. Eventually they said. It's not because of what you said to us.
[38:40] Woman. That we have believed. But we have come and seen him ourselves. Ourselves. That's why we've believed. There is life in one look.
[38:55] At the crucified one. And you ask the Lord to give you. Eyesight. Spiritual sight. In order to see. The glory of Jesus.
[39:06] It says here. John says of him. We beheld his glory. The glory as of the only begotten of the father. Full of grace. Grace. And truth.
[39:18] Full of grace. Full of forgiveness. Full of mercy. Full of kindness. To undeserving sinners. Full of truth.
[39:31] Not like this world. With all its lies. And innuendo. And half truths. He speaks the truth. And when he speaks. You can be sure. Of what he says.
[39:43] Behold. The Lamb of God. Who he is. Where he is.
[39:54] Well at the moment. Having finished his work. In this world. He now is at the right hand of God. The Bible reminds us. That there he is making continual.
[40:06] Intercession. For his people. What an amazing thought that is. He knows you exactly where you are. And what your needs are.
[40:17] He knows the dangers that lie ahead of you. He sees where the devil is laying traps for you. And he is interceding. On your behalf. So that the devil's plans will be confused.
[40:30] And come to nothing. What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry.
[40:42] Everything. To God in prayer. May we all do so. And find him. And dwell with him. And dwell with him.
[40:54] By faith in this world. And throughout eternity. Dwell. In his blessed presence. Amen. Let us pray. Amen. Amen.
[41:04] Amen. Amen.