Results: from an early age, we are trained to expect results. We study for an exam and expect to earn a high mark. We practice our sport for years and expect to win a championship. With this focus on results then, it is no wonder then that when we think about evangelization, we often think of it with a results-based mentality. If I follow this formula then surely I will win converts. Such a mentality is detrimental to evangelization. In evangelization we proclaim Christ but it is Christ who produces results. As we continue this New Year let us resolve to share Christ without regard to results, so that Christ may transform the hearts of all those who hear the Good News.
The Lamb of God
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, for he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, 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 : 29-34
Scriptural Analysis – Background
The prologue of the gospel of John indicates that the primary role of John the Baptist is to give testimony to Jesus, “Whose name was John, he came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.” (John 1:6-7) On the second day recorded in John’s Gospel, John the Baptist gives his testimony about Jesus.
John begins his record of John the Baptist’s testimony using what will become a recurring pattern in his Gospel: someone sees another person and provides testimony about that person. One sees an individual and then reveals that person’s role in God’s plan.
Scriptural Analysis – Jesus The Lamb Of God
John the Baptist begins his testimony by stating, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This title, Lamb of God, is a combination of several biblical allusions. The first is that of the Passover liturgy, the celebration of God’s mighty acts performed to free his people from bondage, where the lamb plays a central role, “The whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs in the evening.” (Exodus 12:6) In several references throughout the New Testament, Jesus is described as the new Passover Lamb.
The lamb also recalls the sacrificial system of the temple. Animals were sacrificed to God to ceremonially purge their sins and reconcile with God., “And the priest shall offer the whole, and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord.” (Leviticus 1:13) However, Jesus was not simply another sacrifice. He was THE sacrifice that would finally and definitely atone for all the sins of humanity.
Lastly, in Isaiah’s prophecies regarding the Suffering Servant, we see the servant described as a lamb, “Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter.” (Isaiah 53:7) Jesus refers to himself as this suffering servant. Therefore, the title Lamb can also point to the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Scriptural Analysis – Jesus The Son Of God
John now addresses Jesus’s divine identity. He states, “After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.” We know that John the Baptist was born before Jesus was. Therefore, John must be alluding to the divine nature of Jesus that is coeternal with the Father and existed before creation. This echos the words of the prologue, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
John the Baptist acknowledges that he did not recognize Jesus even though his vocation was to announce the coming of Christ. When John baptized Jesus he saw the Spirit descend upon Jesus and he recalls what God has said to him, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.”
This points to another fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies, “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.” (Isaiah 11:2) This future king will fill the earth with the knowledge of the Lord, “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:9) That is to say that Jesus will baptize his people with the Holy Spirit. The one who was anointed with and possessed the Holy Spirit can pour that same spirit out upon humanity. Seeing all this John testifies to the true reality of Jesus, “This is the Son of God.”
Daily Application
Evangelization frightens many people. It frightens them because there is this false misconception that the one sharing the faith is also responsible for ensuring that the one receiving that sharing actually believes. That is to say if at the end of my sharing, the other person isn’t now a believer, I have failed. That is a false notion of evangelization and we see that in John’s testimony of Jesus.
Note what is lacking in this passage. There is no mention of the audience or how they reacted to what John told them. It is a safe assumption that John had people around him when he gave his testimony. These words were not spoken out loud without anybody around. However, the fact that the audience’s reaction to hearing John is not recorded tells us something.
What it tells us is that our job as evangelists is to simply plant the seeds. We are to bold witness to our faith, witness to the truth of who Jesus Christ is. Whether or not people want to hear our message, we are not to worry about that. Now, that is not a free pass to say whatever you want whenever you want. We have a responsibility to present the truth with decorum and decency. However, we never change the truth we have been given. As Saint Paul tells us, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)
This should be incredible freeing for the Christian: to know what their role is in the propegation of the faith. There is no pressure to ensure that those with whom you have sahred the Gospel convert. You are called simply to plant the seed and then allow Christ to cultivate the seed. This also means that most of the time, we do not see the results of our sharing. People will come into our lives, we will share our faith, and then they will move on. That reminds us, we are not called to save anyboyd: salvation comes from Christ. We are simply called to be like John the Baptist, to point the way to Christ.
Share the Gospel boldly. Do not concearn yourself with results, only with sharing Christ. If that seeds has landed in good soil, Christ will ensure that it grows. The tree that grows and the fruit that it produces may never be seen by you. However, rest assured that Christ has used your labor to produce a bountiful harvest.
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