John 1:19-34; 1 Chronicles 7-8; Zephaniah 3

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29 NKJV) 

The religious leaders had been grilling John about who he thought he was. They asked if he thought he was the Messiah, which John denied. They asked if he was Elijah, which John also denied, but Jesus later confirmed. John pointed to Jesus, perhaps not even knowing who He was – just knowing that God had called him to prepare the way for the Messiah. Then, Jesus showed up. John shifted the attention from himself and pointed to Jesus. “This is the guy! He’s the one who’s going to to take away the sin of the world.”

There is a difference between “sin” and “sins.” Sins are those things we do that are contrary to God’s will for us. They keep us from experiencing all the joy of walking with God. They leave us with feelings of guilt and we act like Adam in the garden as he tried to hide from God. Jesus brought forgiveness from those sins. He did that by eliminating sin. Sin (no ‘s’) is the natural state of mankind living in separation from God. Living in the state of sin means that there is no possible way to develop a relationship with God. The sin barrier between man and God prevents us from communing with God. When Jesus came, He broke through that barrier and took away the sin of the world so that now we can have fellowship with God. God isn’t out to zap us for doing wrong. God wants to love and forgive us. Jesus broke the barrier and made that possible.

Lord, thank You for breaking down the barrier of Sin so that we could be forgiven. Thank You for allowing me to experience the joy of living with You each day.