Readings
John 1:29-34; 1John 2:29-3:10; Psalm 98
John brings out two dimensions of Jesus. He presents Jesus as 'Lamb of God' and 'Son of God'. Jesus is presented as Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Here the sin is cannot mean personal failure and guilt, Felix Wilfred a prominent Asian theologian remarked that Christian holiness is always been limited to focus on personal holiness. But sin here is termed as 'Sin of the World', which should be understood as collective experience of failure.
This failure is mentioned in the epistle of John (1John 3:10) as distinguishing between children of God and children of the Devil. The factor that distinguishes between the both is the love that is shown towards brothers and sisters (humanity). So it is this sin of hatred among fellow beings is the sin that is to be avoided and need to be saved from. This sin of hatred for humanity can be seen in crimes against dalits, women and the poor of the society. Bible talks about this sin in Genesis in the story of Cain and Abel which perpetuates throughout history.
Here the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world, came with compassion, love and sacrifice on the cross to show love for humanity and fellow beings. As children of God, the challenge for us today is to live a life of love for fellow beings, with the help of Holy Spirit which descends like a dove (symbol of peace) and abides in our hearts.
John 1:29-34; 1John 2:29-3:10; Psalm 98
John brings out two dimensions of Jesus. He presents Jesus as 'Lamb of God' and 'Son of God'. Jesus is presented as Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Here the sin is cannot mean personal failure and guilt, Felix Wilfred a prominent Asian theologian remarked that Christian holiness is always been limited to focus on personal holiness. But sin here is termed as 'Sin of the World', which should be understood as collective experience of failure.
This failure is mentioned in the epistle of John (1John 3:10) as distinguishing between children of God and children of the Devil. The factor that distinguishes between the both is the love that is shown towards brothers and sisters (humanity). So it is this sin of hatred among fellow beings is the sin that is to be avoided and need to be saved from. This sin of hatred for humanity can be seen in crimes against dalits, women and the poor of the society. Bible talks about this sin in Genesis in the story of Cain and Abel which perpetuates throughout history.
Here the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world, came with compassion, love and sacrifice on the cross to show love for humanity and fellow beings. As children of God, the challenge for us today is to live a life of love for fellow beings, with the help of Holy Spirit which descends like a dove (symbol of peace) and abides in our hearts.
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