This is an interesting declaration in the context of the larger passage. It’s not a new one, since John made such a statement previously (verse 29) the day after the emissaries from Jerusalem concluded their interrogation and returned with the information to their absentee bosses. On that day the declaration includes quite a bit more information than what he says this particular day.
Why
the replay? How much time has elapsed
since the first encounter, which apparently was the day Jesus was baptized by
John (Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3)? It can
be safely assumed that more than 40 days have elapsed, since Jesus is taken
from his baptism to the desert to be tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1) This follow-up event takes place at the same
river, the same setting, and the same key individuals. So why is a repetition necessary 40 days
later? Although the first statement is
made on a day that provides its own special moment, apparently things returned
to normalcy when the day ended. John
goes back to doing what he does. His
followers keep supporting his efforts.
The populace keeps coming out into the desert; some to hear, some to
find fault, others to confess and be baptized by the prophet.
But
this time something is different. No
additional words are necessary. John
simply points out what he had stated previously, “Behold, the Lamb of
God!” Those that had heard the prior
statement by the Baptizer simply fill in the blanks. I am curious how many different reactions are
elicited by John’s statement on this particular day. Do the words fall on deaf ears to some? Does John’s declaration evoke curiosity but
no follow through on others? Do some
long to act upon the Spirit’s tug on their heart strings, but are paralyzed by
fear and uncertainty? It must have moved
someone to act! I wonder what camp I
would have belonged to that day. I
wonder what camp I am in today.
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