Behold the Lamb: Pointing Others to Jesus at Christmas

Devotional

Day 1: Behold the Lamb who takes away sin.

John the Baptist points people straight at Jesus as the once-for-all sacrifice who deals with sin for the whole world; this is not about a series of individual sacrifices but one death that changes everything for those who accept it. Remembering that the baby in the manger is the same Jesus on the cross helps keep Christmas from becoming mere food and tinsel and draws others to the heart of the gospel. Hold fast to the good news that sin’s power has been dealt with through Christ’s sacrifice. [09:26]

John 1:29 (ESV)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus’ death dealt with sin once for all, and what one short, clear sentence will you use this week to point them to that hope?

Day 2: The Word became flesh; God moved into our neighbourhood.

God did not stay distant but came to dwell among people, fully God and fully man, pitching his tent in our broken world so we might know him. The incarnation means Jesus understands ordinary life — the family table, the neighbourhood bustle, the arguments and the joys — and his nearness makes our witness tangible. Let the fact that "the Word became flesh" shape how you live in everyday places so others can see God among us. [14:48]

John 1:1, 14 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Reflection: In which ordinary place this week will you intentionally let the incarnate Jesus be visible through your words or actions, and what specific act will you do to show his presence there?

Day 3: Behold the man — and behold the king.

People can look at Jesus and only see a man, or they can see the truth that he is also King, even when mocked by the world; Pilate’s words unintentionally pointed to both realities. Recognising Jesus as king changes how decisions are made, whom we follow, and what we place at the centre of our celebrations. Refuse to reduce Christmas to just a celebration of a baby and let the kingship of Christ rule your life and conversations. [07:37]

John 19:5 (ESV)
So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"

Reflection: Where are you tempted to treat Jesus as merely a good teacher rather than your King, and what concrete choice this week will show his lordship in that area?

Day 4: Forerunner prepared the way; we are called too.

John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of a messenger who would prepare people’s hearts for the Lord, and his example shows that God calls ordinary people to point others to Christ. The calling to prepare the way continues: Christians are called to build relationships, pray, and invite people toward Jesus rather than rely on quotas or clever techniques. Be intentional about being a forerunner in your own circles, trusting the Holy Spirit to do the saving work. [16:00]

Malachi 3:1 (ESV)
"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts."

Reflection: Who is one person God is putting on your heart to "prepare the way" for this Christmas, and what one relationship-building step will you take toward them this week?

Day 5: Faith in doubt: look at what Jesus is doing.

Even John the Baptist had a crisis of faith in prison and sent to ask if Jesus was truly the one, and Jesus answered not with philosophical proofs but with the evidence of his healing and good news — the blind see, the lame walk, the poor hear good news. When circumstances shake belief, look for what Jesus is doing now: the changed lives, the acts of mercy, the Spirit at work — they testify to his presence and power. Let those signs bolster your faith and shape the way you point others to him. [35:05]

Matthew 11:2-6 (ESV)
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

Reflection: When your faith is shaken, what two concrete signs of Jesus’ present work will you look for or recount to renew your confidence, and how will you share one of those stories with someone this week?

Sermon Summary

We’re all feeling the rush of December—lists, meals, travel, and the endless stream of events. That rush can make it easy to forget why we pause at all. Advent means arrival, not simply the countdown to indulgence. We gather to behold the One whose birth actually explains His death, and whose death explains our lives. Pilate unintentionally gave us two signposts: “Behold the man” and “Here is your king.” John the Baptist gave us the third: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Put together, they answer the season’s real question: Who is this child? He is truly human (man), truly sovereign (king), and truly sacrificial (lamb).

This matters because Jesus didn’t merely manage our sins; He once for all dealt with sin itself. That’s why John’s language is singular—“the sin of the world”—and why Christmas must be read in the light of Easter. The Word became flesh and moved into our neighborhood to do what repeated sacrifices could never do. And now, we get to be forerunners like John—ordinary people who point unmistakably to Jesus in ways that fit the moment, the relationship, and the person in front of us.

We do that best together. Jesus said we would do “greater” works, not because we outdo Him, but because His Spirit fills a whole body, scattered through workplaces, streets, and homes. Relational invitation often bears far more fruit than cold encounters; still, every conversation can prepare the ground. The Spirit does the saving—He convicts, calls, grants repentance, and transforms—so our posture is prayerful courage and patient love.

Speaking of love, we must name sin wisely. Not to shame, but to heal. Loud threats rarely open hearts. Conversations that hold truth and hope together can lead people to want the change that the Spirit empowers. Even John the Baptist had a moment of doubt in prison. Jesus didn’t scold him; He pointed to evidence—lives healed, good news proclaimed. So let’s tell the stories: what Jesus has done in Scripture, in history, and in our own lives.

This Christmas, turn the table talk gently toward Jesus. Bring peace into strained rooms and hope into weary hearts. And when you’re asked who this baby is, say it plain: Behold the man, behold the King, behold the Lamb who has taken away the sin of the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Point people to Jesus this Advent. Advent isn’t a countdown to treats; it’s a watchful waiting for the One who came to us. Help friends and family make the connection between celebration and the Person we celebrate. Use the season’s natural pauses and traditions to ask better questions and offer a better story. Redirect attention from the party to the Guest of honor. [04:31]
2. Behold the Lamb who removes sin. Jesus deals with sin at its root, not merely with a running list of sins. His once‑for‑all sacrifice ends the treadmill of trying to fix ourselves by increments. Freedom begins when we trust His finished work more than our unfinished efforts. Christmas is the doorway into that finished work. [12:06]
3. Rely on the Spirit, not strategy. We prepare the ground through presence, prayer, and faithfulness; the Spirit gives conviction, repentance, and new life. That keeps us humble when things go slowly and hopeful when doors open. Methods matter, but only as channels for His power. Dependence is our greatest evangelistic method. [24:48]
4. Speak truth with patient love. Naming sin is necessary, but the tone and timing matter if we want a hearing. Start where people are, and show why Jesus’ way is better, not just stricter. Let relationship carry hard conversations, trusting the Spirit to press truth deep. Love aims not to win arguments but to win people. [25:42]
5. Faith wrestles; Jesus answers with evidence. Even John doubted in prison, and Jesus pointed him to what God was doing—sight restored, bodies healed, good news preached. When your faith wobbles, rehearse God’s works in Scripture and in your own story. Testimony steadies trust and creates hunger in others for the same grace. [35:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:35] - Christmas pressures and plans
[04:31] - Remembering Jesus amid festivities
[07:00] - Pilate: Man and King
[08:54] - John the Baptist: the Lamb
[11:39] - Sin dealt with once-for-all
[14:32] - The Word became flesh
[15:35] - Our forerunner calling
[18:03] - Greater works together
[22:42] - Relationships over cold outreach
[23:37] - The Spirit does the saving
[25:42] - Naming sin with wisdom
[30:53] - Faith chooses to believe
[33:59] - Doubt answered by evidence
[38:46] - Behold: man, king, Lamb

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (read aloud together)

John 1:14 (ESV)

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:29 (ESV)

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Matthew 11:2–6 (ESV)

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Observation questions (notice what the Bible and sermon say)

In John 1:29 the phrase is “the sin of the world” (singular). What does that wording observe about the scope and finality of Jesus’ work?
John 1:14 says the Word “became flesh and dwelt among us.” What concrete facts about Jesus’ identity and presence are stated in that verse?
In Matthew 11:2–6 what signs does Jesus point to as evidence that he is the one John expected? Which of those signs stand out to the group?
People often pause at Christmas but miss its center—“Jesus is the reason for the season.” What examples were given of how society treats Christmas as anything but the arrival of Jesus? [04:31]

Interpretation questions (think about what these things mean)

What does the claim that Jesus “takes away the sin of the world” mean for how one understands forgiveness, guilt, and the need for repeated self-effort? [12:06]
If “the Word became flesh,” how should that shape the way a believer sees ministry among neighbors, workplaces and ordinary routines (not just church activities)? [14:32]
Jesus said his followers would do “greater things” because the Spirit fills a whole body sent out through many lives. What does that imply for how the church organizes mission and depends on relationship rather than lone strategies? [19:24]
John the Baptist experienced doubt in prison and sent for reassurance. What does his question and Jesus’ answer teach about how one should handle seasons of doubt or silence from God? [33:59]

Application questions (personal, practical steps)

Advent is an opportunity to point people to Jesus instead of only the food, gifts, or parties. What one family tradition, conversation, or meal this season will you intentionally use to turn attention to Jesus, and how will you begin it? [04:31]
Jesus’ death deals with sin once for all. Where are you still trying to fix sin by incremental effort rather than trusting the finished work of Christ? What specific step will you take this week to rest in his finished work? (Practical examples: confessing to a friend, choosing a passage to meditate on, speaking a truth aloud to God.) [12:06]
The Spirit does the saving; prayerful presence prepares the ground. Who are two people you will pray for this Advent, and what one simple, relationship-building action will you take toward one of them (invite, call, deliver a meal, send a card)? [24:48]
Naming sin wisely is part of love: hard truth carried by patient relationship. Who in your circle needs truth held with hope? Write down one loving question or one short, gentle sentence you could use to open that conversation at a meal or in a one-on-one. [25:42]
Jesus answered John with evidence—he pointed to lives changed. What story from your own life or someone you know will you prepare and tell this month to show how Jesus is active and brings hope? When and to whom will you share it? [35:05]
When faith wobbles, rehearsing God’s works steadies trust. List three Scriptures, memories, or testimonies you will use when doubt comes, and commit to reading or sharing one of them before Christmas. [33:59]

Sermon Clips

When you look at those two ways of pointing to Jesus, you have the crux of the issue that faces us. There are people in the world who accept that Jesus lived and died. They're the ones who say, well, he's a man. Clearly, if we're celebrating a baby in a manger, that baby grows up and becomes a man. That's biology. But if you just focus on the man, you're missing out on the fact that he's a king. [00:10:16] (35 seconds) #MoreThanAMan

``So as Jesus followers, we focus on why Jesus was born. He was the sacrificial lamb. He takes away the sin of the world. Not in being born, but in how he dies. And it says that he takes away the sin of the world. Not the sins of the world. If we were talking about Jesus taking away sins, we'd have to look at each individual one. What Jesus does is he deals completely, once and for all, with sin. [00:11:32] (33 seconds) #JesusOnceForAll

Here is God, the God of the universe. In one of his three persons, God the Son, coming down and becoming Jesus of Nazareth. He was fully God. And he became fully man. That's the mystery. And Christmas is about that event happening. So John the Baptist pointed to Jesus. What can we do to point to Jesus? How can we learn from John the Baptist? [00:14:59] (39 seconds) #FullyGodFullyMan

Jesus was one man in one place. He could only go where that one body could go until he was ascended into heaven. We actually can take Jesus to wherever we are. So when we are gathered, we are building each other up. We're scattered during the week. Wherever you go during the week, you can represent Jesus. So in a sense, we are forerunners as well. How are we forerunners? We tell others about Jesus. We point to Jesus. They come to know Jesus because they know us, if we're doing our job properly. [00:19:44] (44 seconds) #TakeJesusWithYou

Sometimes, of course, we fail to represent Jesus because we're imperfect. I've done things that I'm deeply unsettled by. I've said things that I still have toe-curling moments about, you know. Why did I say that? I've done things that I'm embarrassed about because I'm imperfect. However, I know that if I point to Jesus and look at the best that I can be as a representative of Jesus, that actually some people will take note. So in all our dealings with people, we should be asking ourselves, does this person share my view of Jesus? And if they don't, what can I do to shift them along? [00:20:29] (53 seconds) #PointToJesus

Secondly, in order to be effective evangelists, we must be reliant on the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is at work in us. I've already said he fills us when we choose to accept Jesus. John was full of the Holy Spirit. We're not just telling people about an interest that we have. You know, a club that they might like to join with us on a Saturday morning or Sunday. Some activity that they can come along to. We're actually giving them good news. And our starting point must be that we've got good news for them. [00:23:31] (43 seconds) #ProclaimGoodNews

It's the Holy Spirit. He's the one who brings people to faith. He convicts them. Gives them a sense of having to change their lives. He fulfills their faith. He fills them. He calls them here. He gives them a choice to repent. And he helps them to do so. And then he changes their lives. As many of you can testify. All we do is prepare the ground. He does the work. But in preparing the ground, we have to prepare in prayer. [00:24:44] (35 seconds) #PrepareInPrayer

Once they start to put their faith in Jesus, then Holy Spirit will challenge them. And they can then see what they do about it. But until that point is reached, without the Holy Spirit, the Bible tells us, people hear without listening. They look without seeing. You know, you can challenge people all you like. But if it's in their face, it's not going to work, in my view. In my experience. A better way is to say, let's start with the fact that God exists. And let's talk about how he wants us to live our lives. And what a difference that could make to you. [00:29:16] (49 seconds) #StartWithGod

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