Tag: the Lamb of God

After Epiphany | 2nd Sunday – 15 Jan 2023: Ex 12:21-28; Ps 40:1-11; 1 Cor 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 ~ Jesus is The Lamb of God!

After Epiphany | 2nd Sunday – 15 Jan 2023

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior
Jesus Christ is the light of the world:
Grant that your people,
illumined by your Word and Sacraments,
may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory,
that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed
to the ends of the earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit
lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The next day John saw Jesus
coming toward him and said, “Look!
The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
(John1:29)

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Behold Him – Mission House, REVERE

Light of the World

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OT Reading: Ex 12:21-28 (NLT)

12:21 Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal. Drain the blood into a basin. Then take a bundle of hyssop branches and dip it into the blood. Brush the hyssop across the top and sides of the doorframes of your houses. And no one may go out through the door until morning. For the Lord will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down.

“Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever. When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped.

So the people of Israel did just as the Lord had commanded through Moses and Aaron.

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From Psalms: Ps 40:1-11 – Lord, Come To My Aid! – Francesca LaRosa

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NT Reading: 1 Cor 1:1-9 (NLT)

Greetings from Paul

1:1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.

I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Paul Gives Thanks to God

1:4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

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The Passover Song (feat. Sean Carter) – Caroline Cobb

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Gospel Reading: John 1:29-42 (NLT)

Jesus, the Lamb of God

1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”

The First Disciples

1:35 The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.

They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”.

Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

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Jesus Lamb of God, Worthy Is Your Name! – Manhattan Cornerstone Presbyterian Church

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly pray for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known to them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy church, that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

+ O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, into your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Closing: 1 Corinthians 1:3 (NLT)

“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.”

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Epiphany Prayer: 1st: Wednesday; 13 Jan 2021 – Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Isaiah 41:14-20; John 1:29-34 ~ baptized with the Holy Spirit

Epiphany Prayer: 1st: Wednesday; 13 Jan 2021

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

““I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.
I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me,
‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain,
this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
(John 1:32-34)

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Psalms: Psalm 69

Psalm 69 Song – Jason Silver

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OT Reading: Isaiah 41:14-20 (ESV)

14 Fear not, you worm Jacob,
you men of Israel!
I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord;
your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
15 Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge,
new, sharp, and having teeth;
you shall thresh the mountains and crush them,
and you shall make the hills like chaff;
16 you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away,
and the tempest shall scatter them.
And you shall rejoice in the Lord;
in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.

17 When the poor and needy seek water,
and there is none,
and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them;
I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the midst of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water.
19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive.
I will set in the desert the cypress,
the plane and the pine together,
20 that they may see and know,
may consider and understand together,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
the Holy One of Israel has created it.

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Holy One of Israel – Day of Eternity

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N T Reading: John 1:29-34 (ESV)

Behold, the Lamb of God

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, 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 before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

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Come Holy Spirit – Vertical Church Band

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Prayer:

+ O Holy Spirit: enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me your orders. I submit myself to all that you desire of me, and accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will.

+ O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant me, in all my doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have me do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save me from all false choices; that in your light I may see light, and in your straight path I may not stumble; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield, overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

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Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tuesday Morning: 08 Jan 2019 – John 1:19-34 ~ “Who are you?”

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 1:19-34 (NLT)

The Testimony of John the Baptist

This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”

“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”

“No,” he replied.

“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”

“No.”

“Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”

John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”

Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”

John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”

This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.

Jesus, the Lamb of God

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”
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Morning Reflection:

We need to be clear on who we are in God’s kingdom
so that we can effectively point others to Jesus for salvation.
Steven J. Cole

Some thoughts for consideration:

People were flocking to John the Baptizer from near and far and responding positively to his message of repentance and baptism. That’s why the religious authorities challenged him – “Who are you?”

John responded to their questioning by saying who he was not – the Messiah, Elijah, or a prophet. And then clarified who he was – a messenger who was preparing people to believe and receive the Messiah – Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

And so the same question is addressed to me and you today – “Who are you?”

+ I am not God; I can’t forgive sins; and I can’t save anyone.
+ I am a believer in Jesus; I am a baptized repentant sinner; I am a reborn child of God; and I am at my very best when I point others to Jesus – the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world – in other words, when I help people connect with Jesus.

Question: Who are you? Where do you fit into this story? Are you a skeptic, a penitent, a believer, or a messenger? Or, something else? How is God speaking to you today?

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: You have sent your Son, Jesus Christ, into the world in order to save the world. Help me to find my place in your plan of Salvation. Take me as I am, and make me what you want me to be. Use me, however you will, to connect others with Jesus – the Lamb of God who takes away my sins, and the sin of the entire world. In his name, and for your glory, I ask it. Amen.
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“Behold the Lamb” – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time: 1 Sm 3:3-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 6:13-15, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42 ~ Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

We are the people of the Lord, the flock that is led by His hand: come, let us adore Him, alleluia.

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

From our earliest days, O God, You call us by name. Make our ears attentive to Your voice, our spirits eager to respond, that, having heard You in Jesus Your anointed one, we may draw others to be His disciples. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: 1 Samuel 3:3-10 (NLT)

The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!”

“Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”

“I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did.

Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!”

Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”

“I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”

Samuel listens
Samuel listens

Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”

Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.

And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”

And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”
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As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10 (NLT)

He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
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Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.
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Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Cor 6:13-15, 17-20 (NLT)

You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.

Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never!

Joined to the Lord

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But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Jn 1:35-42 (NLT)

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.

They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”.

Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John — but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).
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Intercessions:

Gracious and merciful God, who calls to us in the night: hear the cries of our hearts –

+ For all baptised believers — that we may answer the call to follow Jesus daily….
Lord, hear us.
+ For unity among believers — that our closeness to Jesus may draw us closer to each other….
Lord, hear us.
+ For migrants and refugees — that in our hospitality, they may experience God’s compassion….
Lord, hear us.
+ For believers suffering persecution — that people of good will around the world may stand up for them and protect their rights….
Lord, hear us.
+ For parents and teachers — that by our words and actions, we may point out the Lamb of God….
Lord, hear us.
+ For the elderly and all who are lonely — that they may have our support in these days of winter….
Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died in Christ – that God who delivered Jesus from death may raise them to eternal life….
Lord, hear us.
+ For those who we love who weigh heavily on our hearts – that they may listen to Your call to them, turn, and follow You….
Lord, hear us.

+ God our creator, You stoop down to hear our cry: grant our petitions, we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:

Remember it is God himself who assures us all, and you, of our standing in Christ, and has anointed us, marking us with his seal and giving us the pledge, the Spirit, that we carry in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

The 10th Day of Christmas: 03 Jan – 1 John 2:29–3:6; John 1:29-34 ~ the Lamb of God

The 10th Day of Christmas

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentences:

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted him, he gave power to become the children of God.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.

A Reading from Letters: 1 John 2:29–3:6 (NLT)

Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.

A Reading from the Gospels: John 1:29-34 (NLT)

Jesus is being identified by John the Baptist as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world", in John 1:29. 17th century Ottavio Vannini (1585-c. 1643) La chiesa dei Santi Michele e Gaetano, Becocci Editore, Firenze
Jesus is being identified by John the Baptist as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”, in John 1:29.
Ottavio Vannini (1585-c. 1643)
La chiesa dei Santi Michele e Gaetano, Becocci Editore, Firenze

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”
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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

May the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen