December 7, 2025WHY DID THE SON COME?TO DEAL WITH SIN John 1:18 - John 14:9

Devotional

Day 1: Behold the Lamb who takes away sin

Behold the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world — this is an invitation to recognize who Jesus is and to live in the reality he makes possible. When John pointed and said, "Look" or idda, he wanted people to see and act on the truth that God has provided a Savior who removes sin; it is not a nice idea but a decisive reality to bend life around. Come to the table ready to see what has been offered and allow that sight to change how you live day by day. [38:37]

John 1:29-42 (NIV)
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’
31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.
41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).
42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

Reflection: When you hear “Behold the Lamb of God,” what one fear, accusation, or legal demand do you need to bring before Jesus this week, and what concrete step will you take to “behold” his provision for that burden?

Day 2: God provides a substitute in place of sacrifice

The story of Abraham and Isaac shows a God who provides a substitute at the very moment of surrender; Abraham’s cry, "God himself will provide," points us toward the Lamb God appointed instead of what we owed. This is not about cleverness or self-help; it is about receiving a provision that changes the moral and spiritual calculus — a ram caught by its horns, provided by the Lord. Let that picture settle: where you expected the knife, God provided a replacement so life could continue under his mercy. [46:24]

Genesis 22:1-13 (NIV)
1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.
2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.
4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together,
7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.
12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Reflection: What is one burden you have been trying to carry yourself — a fear, shame, or responsibility — that you need to place before God as the thing he will provide a substitute for, and when this week will you symbolically hand it to him?

Day 3: The blood covers and leads to freedom

The Passover lamb shows that blood is assigned as a sign so God’s judgment passes over a people and their freedom begins; the blood covered the doorframes and opened the way out of slavery. This is both a backward-looking deliverance from penalty and a forward-reaching liberation from the power of bondage — you are not only pardoned, you are set free to go. Come under that covering and ask the Lord to help you move from living under judgment to walking in the practical freedom he purchased. [52:21]

Exodus 12:3-13 (NIV)
3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
4 If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.
5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.
6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.
8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.
9 Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it—with the head, legs and inner parts.
10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.
11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.
12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

Reflection: Where in your life do you still live under judgment or feel bound like a slave, and what one concrete step (a prayer, a confession, a boundary, or a visit to the sanctuary) will you take this week to live in the freedom under the blood?

Day 4: One perfect sacrifice, ongoing priestly intercession

Jesus’ single sacrifice accomplished what repeated offerings could not and yet he continues to intercede for us — he has sat down at the right hand of God because the necessary atonement has been made, and he always lives to intercede. This means there is a settled, sufficient righteousness available to you, and there is also a present-day advocacy applying that righteousness to your life as you confess and return to fellowship. Embrace both realities: the once-for-all finished work and the ongoing ministry of the risen Priest who pleads your case. [01:05:05]

Hebrews 10:11-14 (NIV)
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool,
14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 7:27 (NIV)
27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

Reflection: Identify one recurring temptation or pattern you expect to face this week; how will you practically use the truth of Christ’s one sacrifice and his intercession (confession, a prayer habit, calling an accountability partner, or coming to the sanctuary hour) to keep a short account with God when it comes?

Day 5: Confession, advocacy, and the atoning sacrifice

Confession cleans the record and Jesus, as Advocate, applies his atoning sacrifice to your life; when you confess he is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse you. This is not a license to sin but a loving provision so that when you fail you are restored — we are saved, being saved, and will be saved, and in the meantime we have an Advocate who pleads on our behalf. Approach the table and the Lord with honesty; bring the hidden things into light and accept the Father’s cleansing. [01:07:36]

1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1-2 (NIV)
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:1-2
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Reflection: When have you hesitated to come to the Lord’s table because of shame or uncertainty? Name one concrete step you will take before next Sunday (a conversation, a time in the sanctuary, or asking someone to pray with you) to confess and receive the Advocate’s cleansing.

Sermon Summary

This week I shared how God has been moving—both among our friends in Culpeper and right here at home. Our teens went “caroling,” but it was really kingdom work: people asked for prayer before we even offered, and some wept as God touched them. Earlier in the week, the Lord met us powerfully during two late nights at Table 61 with friends connected to the North Georgia Revival. We saw salvation, healing, and a deep sense that Jesus is near. Out of that, I’m opening the sanctuary every day through year’s end (6:15 a.m.–6:00 p.m.), and I’m asking some of you to take one morning or afternoon hour to keep the fire on the altar—an echo of the morning and evening offering. We also paused to pray for the Forsythe family (Lisa’s memorial is Saturday at 1:00 p.m.) and for the families of the two guardsmen attacked in D.C.

From John 1, we asked: Why did the Son come? To be the Lamb of God. When John calls Jesus “the Lamb of God,” there isn’t one neat Old Testament footnote; it’s a collage. First, the substitute provided on Moriah in Genesis 22—Jehovah Jireh—where a ram is given in Isaac’s place. Second, the Passover lamb in Exodus 12—whose blood covers from judgment and whose death opens the way to freedom. Third, the daily lambs of Exodus 29—morning and twilight—signs of ongoing fellowship and total consecration.

Hebrews says Jesus offered one sacrifice for all time and sat down at the right hand of the Father—yet He still lives to intercede. So our rescue is once-for-all, and our relationship is day-by-day. First John tells us to keep short accounts: confess, and our Advocate applies His finished work to our present need. When John says, “Behold,” it’s not a tip of the hat—it means recognize reality and live accordingly. Hide under the blood. Walk out of Egypt. Keep the fire burning. At the Table, Jesus gives us His body and blood, a new covenant. Not an add-on—our only hope. Come, confess, receive, and live as those covered, freed, and kept by the Lamb of God.

Key Takeaways

1. Behold means recognize and respond To “behold” is not to admire but to align. When we see Jesus as the Lamb of God, we move under His blood, reorder our loves, and follow where He leads. Beholding is an action word—recognition that results in new practices, new courage, new obedience. Don’t just agree with the truth; live inside it. [70:38]
2. God Himself provides the substitute On Moriah, the Lord provided a ram “caught by its horns”—strength bound for our rescue. Salvation is not our climb up the mountain but God’s provision meeting us at the altar. Where you cannot save yourself, yield and receive what the Father has already provided in Jesus. Grace arrives before your strength runs out. [49:45]
3. Covered by the blood, walk free Passover blood does two things: shields from judgment and opens the door to freedom. In Christ, you are released from the penalty of sin and liberated from its power—so don’t linger near Egypt. Freedom is exercised by steps—responding to God’s “Go,” even if your feelings lag behind your feet. [55:26]
4. Once-for-all sacrifice, daily intercession Jesus’ cross was sufficient, and His present advocacy is active. Keep short accounts—confess quickly, return gladly, receive freely. Your Advocate has the limitless righteousness your heart needs today, not just the day you first believed. Approach the Father boldly; Jesus is speaking your name. [67:36]
5. Keep the fire on the altar Israel’s morning and evening offerings modeled unbroken fellowship and total surrender. Our call is similar: make space daily, guard the flame, and let prayer shape the atmosphere of our city and church. Take an hour, come for five minutes—hunger, not perfection, fuels the fire. [27:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Culpeper update and prayer story
[10:15] - North Georgia outpouring nights
[23:21] - A shared space: Table 61
[27:47] - House of Prayer: daily schedule
[30:39] - Interceding for families and city
[38:37] - Offering ourselves before the Word
[41:22] - Why the Son came: Lamb of God
[46:24] - Isaac’s substitute and Jehovah Jireh
[52:21] - Passover blood: judgment and freedom
[58:49] - Daily burnt offering: ongoing fellowship
[62:17] - Hebrews: once-for-all sacrifice
[70:38] - Behold: recognize and respond
[74:04] - Communion: body and blood
[82:54] - Prayer and ministry time

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (NIV)
John 1:29-42
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Observation questions

What names or descriptions does John the Baptist use for Jesus in John 1:29–34, and what does each title emphasize about who Jesus is? (Look closely at verses 29–34.)
What concrete steps do the two disciples take after hearing John say “Look, the Lamb of God”? How does Andrew’s next action show the effect of encountering Jesus? (See John 1:36–42.)
The sermon connected three different “lambs” from the Old Testament (Isaac’s substitute, the Passover lamb, and the daily burnt offering) to the title “Lamb of God.” Which specific feature did each lamb contribute to the portrait of Jesus? [46:24]
The sermon unpacked the Greek word translated “look” or “behold” (idda/behold) and said it carries the idea of recognizing and acting. Where in John 1 does this word appear, and what immediate actions follow that recognition in the passage? [01:10:38]

Interpretation questions

Jesus is called “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” How does this statement shape the relationship between justification (what was done once on the cross) and ongoing growth in holiness? [01:02:17]
The Passover lamb both shielded from judgment and enabled the people to go free. What does that double effect imply about the difference between being covered by Christ’s blood and remaining “near Egypt” (old patterns)? [00:52:21]
The one sacrifice of Jesus is “for all time,” and yet he “lives to intercede.” How should the reality of one complete atonement together with Christ’s continual advocacy shape the practice of confession and returning to God? [01:07:36]
“Behold” (recognize and act) implies a change in practice, not mere agreement. What common obstacles keep people from translating recognition of gospel truth into concrete choices and obedience? [01:10:38]

Application questions

“Behold means recognize and respond.” When was the last time you recognized Jesus as your Substitute in a specific situation and then changed a decision because of that recognition? If you can’t think of a recent example, what one small step this week will show that you are living under his blood? [01:10:38]
“God Himself provides the substitute.” What area of life are you still trying to fix with your own strength (guilt, a broken relationship, an addiction, career anxiety)? How will you intentionally yield that area to God this week — name the person you will tell or the prayer you will pray? [49:45]
“Covered by the blood, walk free.” Identify one habit, place, relationship, or fear where you are lingering near “Egypt.” What practical step will you take in the next 72 hours to move away from that pattern toward the freedom Christ purchased? (Be specific: a call, a meeting, a boundary, a confession.) [55:26]
“Once-for-all sacrifice, daily intercession.” What would “keeping short accounts” look like in your daily rhythm? Try a concrete plan for the next seven days: when will you pause, confess, and receive the Advocate’s applying of Christ’s righteousness? [01:07:36]
“Keep the fire on the altar.” Will you commit to a regular time (even 5–15 minutes) of focused prayer this week to guard the flame of fellowship with God? If so, when exactly will that be and where will you do it? If not, what realistic first step can you take toward a regular habit? [27:47]
Communion is the new-covenant meal that makes the finished work present to us. How will you approach the Lord’s Table differently after seeing the cup as the blood of the new covenant? If you have not yet entrusted your life to Christ, who will you talk with this week to explore what that means? [01:14:04]

Notes for the group leader
- Start by reading John 1:29–42 aloud together. Let a few moments of silence follow before the questions.
- Encourage honest, concrete answers. The goal is spiritual growth, not perfect performance.
- When a person shares a specific struggle, offer to pray and, if appropriate, to name one practical next step and a person who will check in during the week.

Sermon Clips

there he is up on the mountain and and uh he gets there and and there's either going to be his son going to be sacrificed or in some other way god is going to provide a substitute by the way this is where we get the that language we use sometimes of jehovah jireh this is where itcomes from right the lord is my provider jehovah the lord jireh provider so god is providing us with a lambin our place he provided isaac with a substitute and so you can begin to think this is the lamb of god right [00:51:06] (39 seconds) #GodOurProvider

and by the way israel was not somehow a righteous group of people they were enslaved because they had been unrighteous but they had humbly cried out to god and so god heard their cry and he said okay take this lamb you kill this lamb and then you take the blood and you spread it now i'm bringing judgment but if i'm bringing judgment uh you too are going to be judged so you got to come under the blood [00:55:38] (24 seconds) #ComeUnderTheBlood

this is something we talk about as as what jesus did on the cross saved us from both the penalty and the power of sin the penalty from the judgment like i couldn't pay the debt formy past sin right i got i got this long list and i can try to make up for this one and this one and maybe this one but i got 13 in between and i got 23 more after it i can't possibly do it but jesus's death can pay for the penalty of what i owed [00:56:42] (29 seconds) #PaidInFull

that jesus when i come and confess those things that jesus is saying to the father because maybe there's this accusation uh against me in the heavenly realms and jesus is saying to the father no no there's no problem here father i just want you to be reminded that i have this and blake's just talked to me about it and i'm applying it to his account he's interceding he's advocating and he's got he's got he's got the bankroll he's got the the funds to pay my debts [01:05:23] (33 seconds) #JesusOurAdvocate

you don't have to sinyou know let me just ask you do you think you can go without sin for the next 30 secondsyeah i think most of us probably can you do it for the next 30 seconds maybe the next 60 seconds just extrapolate that right but the reality is the temptations we face and many of us are going to sin uh probably before we get out of here todayor possibly before we get out of here today [01:06:57] (55 seconds) #TemptationIsReal

we don't have to sin but the reality is the temptations we face and many of us are going to sin uh probably before we get out of here todayor possibly before we get out of here today but we have an advocate with the father and he's advocating his interceding because he's already made the atoning sacrifice and he's bringing it to bear on us when we confess our sins [01:07:39] (27 seconds) #GraceForTheFallen

and it's by his blood that we are both freed from the penaltythat is the judgment and the and the power or the control just like that passover lamb uh it's freed from god's judgment that was coming uh because the blood covered them uh i'm freed from the judgment but not just as the freedom from judgment it's also freedom from the power of of the control of egypt i'm able to go out and this lamb is also available on a daily basis to advocate to intercede to keep me in an up-to-daterelationship so this is the picture of the lamb of god [01:09:06] (60 seconds) #FreedomByHisBlood

``what does it mean for us this morning to idda to behold the lamb of god to see it that's why john repeats it i want you to see all that is entailed here and i want it totransform you i want it to transform you that that it's not somehow you doing enough good things that that god himself has provided a substitute in jesus and that substitute is is one that has had to be sacrificed and you have to hide under the blood of jesus it's not somehow your your goodness is that you're better than the other people so you can stand outside you better get in the house when the judgment comes [01:12:35] (48 seconds) #BeholdTheLamb

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