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The gospel reading for Epiphany 2 in Year A is John 1.29–42. In it, John the Baptist testifies to Jesus, but the account both assumes that we know the story already, yet also functions as part of the prologue to the gospel, introducing many of the key themes.
James and Ian reflect on these issues, and the implications for the way we read and preach on this passage.
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Ian Paul: theologian, author, speaker, academic consultant. Adjunct Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary; Associate Minister, St Nic's, Nottingham; Managing Editor, Grove Books; member of General Synod. Mac user; chocoholic. Tweets at @psephizo
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Loved this session – of the story of Jesus’ Baptism: which brought revelation to all who truly sought it – about Jesus as both Messiah and Sin-Bearer – not, perhaps, ‘taking away’ our sins so much as actually absorbing them in Jesus’ sacrificial death. One cannot but wonder whether if, in his full humanity, Jesus himself actually needed to hear the Father’s message: “This is my beloved, in whom I am well pleased” in order to fully comprehend the implication of his own mission, now empowered by the in-dwelling on the Holy Spirit?
Certainly, John the Baptist learned something in this encounter, and was able to proclaim Jesus as The Lamb of God, as Messianic Sin-Bearer. Jesus’ unique bonding here with the Holy Spirit must also have quickened within Jesus, The Man, a certain quality of ‘becoming’ that which the Messiah was prophesied to bring into being – not only to Jews but to ALL people.