Reading
The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’
Meditation
In Jesus' baptism at the Jordan, John the Baptist makes his presentation of Jesus, but it is the Holy Spirit descending from heaven that confirms his and our faith. The baptism of penance administered by John becomes, in the case of Jesus, a great theophany in which God proclaims him his Son.
The title "lamb of God" attributed by John to the Lord can have several references: the apocalyptic lamb, which will destroy the evil present in the world (Rev 5-7; 17:14); the paschal lamb, with which Israel was saved (Ex 12); the lamb image of the suffering servant who gives his life for the sins of the community (Is 53,7.10). The image of the lamb referred to Jesus expresses his patience in suffering, his innocence and the redemptive power of his sacrifice.
The lamb of God did not take away but "is taking away" - gr. ho airon - the sins of the world. The verb indicates not a single act but a continuous action. The sacrifice of the cross is renewed in the heavenly liturgy and with the influence of grace in the life of the believer on earth.
The "sin of the world" is the sinful situation in which the whole of humanity finds itself. In this context the word "world" indicates humanity in general and not the single individual. Christ's sacrifice potentially reaches every human being, without distinction (1 Jn 2:2). John, however, clearly states that the efficacy of Jesus' sacrifice is for those who welcome him (Jn 1:11-12).
For the evangelist John the pre-existence of Jesus is implicit, for this reason the Baptist affirms "he was before me". The divinity of Jesus is also expressed by the title "Son of God" attributed to him by John the Baptist and which Jesus will apply to himself. The Jews will demonstrate that they understand its meaning as a vindication of equality with God (Jn 5:18).
The baptism administered by John is for Jesus "to be made known to Israel"; it is therefore not a baptism of complete forgiveness of sins, but of preparation for the revelation of Jesus. Baptism into Christ, on the other hand, is immersion in the inexhaustible source of life represented by his passion, the greatest act of love in history.
The dove that descends and remains on Jesus is the symbol of the Holy Spirit who attests to his messiahship; the image also refers to the peace restored by God with humanity after the flood (Gen 8,8), through the inauguration of a new creation.
If the Lamb of God continually takes away the sins of the world, communicating to us the benefits of his full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, for the atonement of the sins of all humanity, we are called to live our baptism every day, as an actual reality in our existence.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that we can recognize you as our Savior and that we can imitate your meekness towards men and your docility in doing the will of the Father. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
