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In this first message of our two-part series, revealed and Recognized, pastor Harry Behrens invites us to behold Jesus as he is revealed publicly and personally in John 1, verses 29-42. Here we see the Lamb of God declared by John and then the Sigh encountered by his first disciples. The gospel does not ask us to imagine Jesus for ourselves. It calls us to see him as he is the Savior who takes away sin, and then the Sigh who invites us to come and see. Today's episode builds toward a simple yet searching question from Jesus himself what are you seeking, here's Pastor Harry Behrens, with today's teaching?

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Hello, welcome again to the Takeaway. I'm your host, pastor Harry Behrens, and today we begin a two-part series called Revealed and Recognized. In part one we're going to focus on the public revealing of Jesus through John the Baptist's testimony and the personal encounter of those first disciples, and next week we'll look at the scriptural revealing and the confessions that come from those who meet him Now. In our last episode, john the Baptist was questioned by the religious leaders. They pressed him. That voice was meant to prepare hearts, and now it does what it was meant to do it points directly to Jesus. So John begins with these words. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said Behold 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 before me, because he was before me. I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water that he might be revealed to Israel, and John bore witness. 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 Now John begins here with the words the next day.

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The simple phrase opens a sequence that will carry us through the first chapter of John. It marks out significant moments, days that together build a picture of Jesus' being revealed step by step. We'll trace the sequence in more detail later in this series, but for now it's important to notice. This day follows Jesus' baptism and his temptation in the wilderness. The Synoptic Gospels help us here Matthew, mark and Luke all point and tell us of Jesus' baptism, where the Spirit descends and the Father's voice declares this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Immediately after Matthew, chapter 4, and Luke, chapter 4, verses 1 and 2 and both of them tell us that Jesus was led into the wilderness for 40 days of testing. And John, chapter 1, verse 29, takes place after that period. By the time, john points and says behold the Lamb of God. Jesus has already faced the temptation, resisted the devil and stepped forward ready to begin his public ministry. And here's John's proclamation the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Now, what a declaration. This is not just an announcement, it's a revelation.

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John is identifying Jesus' mission right at the start. He is the Lamb, not a lamb chosen by people, but the Lamb chosen by God. Now, why a lamb? Because God had already prepared his people with this imagery. In Exodus 12, the blood of the Passover lamb protected God's people from judgment, and in Isaiah 53, 7, the servant is described as like a lamb that is led to the slaughter. Now, a lamb is gentle, pure, spotless. A lamb gives its life so that the others might live. And John says this is who Jesus is. He will not only teach us, he will bear our sin, he will take it away. And John goes on. After me comes a man who ranks before me because he was before me. John acknowledges that Jesus existed before him, even though John was born. First he is saying this one is eternal. Then he explains I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water that he might be revealed to Israel.

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Now, john's whole mission was to make Jesus known. His baptizing was not about John, it was about preparing hearts to recognize the Messiah. And then John bears witness I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and it remained on him. And the word remained is important. The Spirit didn't just visit Jesus, he abided with him. This was the confirmation John had been told to look for the one on whom you see the Spirit remained would be the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. John concludes with absolute clarity I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.

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Think of John's role here like that of a herald in the ancient world. When a king was about to arrive in a city, a herald was sent ahead to prepare the way, to make sure the roads were clear, the people were gathered and everyone knew royalty was coming. John's baptism and his preaching were not random. They were the cultural equivalent of rolling out the carpet and sounding the trumpet. In that culture, people understood exactly what he was doing. He wasn't drawing attention to himself, he was announcing the king is about to enter.

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John's ministry was entirely about preparing hearts and minds so that when Jesus appeared they would recognize him as the Messiah. The Lamb is revealed, the Son is identified, the Spirit has confirmed him, heaven has spoken and John is faithful to point not to himself but to Jesus. Now he continues and he says the next day again, john was standing with two of his disciples and he looked. And he says the next day again, john was standing with two of his disciples and he looked, and Jesus as he walked by and said Behold the Lamb of God. The two disciples heard him say this and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them what are you seeking? And they said to him Rabbi, which means teacher, where are you staying? He said to them Come and you will see. So they came and saw where he was staying and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and follow Jesus was Andrew, simon, peter's brother. He first found his brother, simon, and said to him we have, says the next day.

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Now John is building a sequence and we'll explore the full symbolism of these days in a future episode, once we've seen them all unfold. But for right now the spotlight turns from John's public witness to Jesus' personal encounter with his first disciples. John points again behold the Lamb of God. And two of his disciples respond immediately. They leave John and follow Jesus. That's what true witness does. It does not draw people to ourselves, but directs them to Christ.

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And then comes one of the most powerful questions in scripture. Jesus turns to them and asks what are you seeking? These are his first recorded words in John's gospel. Not who are you? Not what do you believe, but what are you seeking? Not what do you believe, but what are you seeking. It's a question that cuts to the heart. What do you truly want? What are you longing for? Why are you here? Their answer seems simple Rabbi, where are you staying? But underneath it, they're saying we just want to be with you. And Jesus' response is an invitation Come and you will see. Don't just hear about me, don't just watch from a distance. Come closer, abide with me, experience who I am. And they do. They go with him, they stay with him and their lives are forever changed. Now Andrew, full of joy, immediately finds his brother, simon. He doesn't debate or argue, he simply declares we have found the Messiah. Notice the language found. They were searching, longing, waiting, and now, in Jesus, they find what their hearts have been seeking. Andrew brings Simon to Jesus and Jesus looks at him and says you are Simon, son of John, and you should be called Cephas. This is more than a name change. It's a new identity. Jesus saw not only who Simon was, but who he would become.

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Throughout church history, this verse has sometimes been misapplied to suggest that Peter was given supreme authority over the church. But the broader testimony of scripture makes it clear Christ is the cornerstone 1 Corinthians 3.11 and Ephesians 2.20,. And all believers are living stones 1 Peter 2.5. What Jesus is doing here is showing Simon and us that encountering him changes everything. He gives us a new name, a new purpose and a new future.

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This passage builds towards a climax in Jesus's question what are you seeking? That question wasn't for those two disciples, it's for us right now. What are you looking for in life? What are you hoping Jesus will give you? Are you seeking him for comfort, for answers, for blessings, or are you seeking him for who he truly is? Here is where we must be honest.

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Much of the modern church has drifted from the model John the Baptist gave us. John pointed away from himself and said behold the Lamb of God. But so often today, churches point to their programs, their personalities, their music, their brand, and instead of preparing people to behold Christ, they attract people to themselves. Many pulpits no longer proclaim the Lamb who takes away sin, but a message that tickles ears and promises prosperity. Many seek Jesus not to be transformed but to be confronted. Many seek Jesus not to be transformed but to be confronted. They want the Jesus who multiplied fish and bread, but not the Jesus who calls them to deny themselves and take up their cross. This is a hard word, but it must pierce us. If we seek Jesus only for blessings, we miss him entirely. He did not come to be a vending machine for our desires. He came to be Lord and Savior. He came to transform us into a people who live for the purposes we were created for to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Only when we seek Him for who he is will we truly know what it is to have life, and life abundantly. The truth is, many seek Jesus for the wrong reasons. Some want Him to fix their problems, but not their hearts. Some want His blessings without His lordship. Some want a moral teacher, not a savior, who demands repentance. But Jesus' question calls us deeper what are you seeking? Are you seeking truth, peace, forgiveness, eternal life? All of those are found in him, but only when you seek him himself. He doesn't just give us things, he gives us of himself. And here's his invitation Come and you will see. If you will draw near, if you will abide with him, if you will trust him, you will see who he truly is. You will find that he is not only the lamb who takes away sin, but the Messiah who fulfills your deepest longings. John's testimony was public Behold the Lamb of God. The disciples' response was personal we have found the Messiah, and Jesus' invitation is still open. Come and you will see. The question for us today is this what are you seeking? Are you looking for the right reasons? Are you seeking Jesus himself? Because when you truly seek him, you'll find more than answers. You'll find a new name, a new identity and a new joy. Let's pray, father. God, thank you so much for your word today. I thank you for the truth that you are calling us to yourself to give us a new identity, a new purpose, a new life, to help us to find joy in you that glorifies you. I pray that you would open our eyes and our ears to help us to be the seekers you want us to be that not only in the drawing, but that we would be open to the seeking, that you would give us the faith that we need to pursue you, to desire you, to hunger for you, god, not the desire to fill our flesh but the desire to glorify you above all else, that we may have that joy that you promised us we can have.

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I pray this in your name, jesus, amen.

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Now in our next episode of the Takeaway, we'll continue in John, chapter one, and see how scripture itself reveals Jesus. We'll discover how the witness of the word enhances the public, revealing we've seen today and why scripture never works apart from proclamation. It is through the preaching of the word that people are saved. So don't miss part two of Revealed and Recognized. And as always, I want to thank you for joining us today, and I hope this episode has helped you take a step closer in your relationship with Jesus and that you now have a deeper understanding of just how much God loves you and wants you to know him. And before we go, I want to encourage you to send us any questions or comments you may have using the text us link in the episode description. Your inputs help us shape future episodes that speak directly to your needs and help you grow in your faith. It's our desire that this ministry be a tool to reach the lost and equip the saints for a life that brings glory to God. God bless, and we'll see you next time on the Takeaway.