2026 Epiphany Devotions
Friday, January 16
John 1:29-34
29 [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 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.’ 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One.”
“… “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” …”
In the traditional litany prayers of the Church, Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world is repeated three times. This mirrors the repetition of John’s Gospel where twice Jesus is identified by that name. Certainly, its use in worship reflects both the identity of Jesus and his purpose in salvation.
Jesus as Lamb of God is the one who dies on the cross that we might be forgiven. His sacrificial death opens the door to grace and forgiveness for those who believe. Trusting in the mercy of God that flows from Christ through the cross brings forth reconciliation and hope. Apart from the Lamb of God, such restoration is impossible.
That’s why the Church throughout the millennia has used the image of the Lamb of God to signify Jesus’ life-giving sacrifice. Like the lamb who suffers for the sake of others, so too Jesus suffers and dies for us. He is the atoning sacrifice for sins; and when we turn to him in faith, our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled with God.
Prayer: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Grant us peace. Amen.