TLDR: John 1:29-42 gives us four different titles for Jesus, giving us valuable information about his identity. Read on for more and be ready to answer Jesus’ challenging question.
As we enter fully into the season of Ordinary Time, known as “After Epiphany,” we will learn significant information about the identity and mission of Jesus. This season is composed of a series of Sundays that start with the Baptism of Jesus, which we celebrated last week, and end the Sunday before the season of Lent. In the feast of the Epiphany (1/6/26), God revealed His Son to the nations through the visit of the Magi. During the “after Epiphany” season God will reveal the identity of Jesus to us: who He is, His mission to Israel and beyond, and how He fulfills the Scriptures. Each Sunday, the readings will unveil another layer of the Messiah’s identity, like pulling back a sheet covering a significant object to reveal its beauty.
In the Gospel for this last Sunday (John 1: 29-42) we encounter four essential titles that reveal profound truths about Jesus. Two of these titles come from John the Baptist, and the other two emerge from Andrew, one of John’s disciples who ultimately becomes a disciple of Jesus. Let us set the stage. In the verses preceding our reading, the authorities question John the Baptist: "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us." They are eager to know if he is the Messiah, the prophet Elijah, or another prophet altogether. In his reply, John boldly quotes Isaiah: “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” (John 1:23). He humbly asserts that a greater one is coming, one whose sandals he is not worthy to untie. As the narrative unfolds, John sees Jesus approaching and exclaims, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” This declaration serves as a powerful introduction to Jesus and establishes the first of our four titles. John continues, “This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’” These words reveal John’s understanding of Jesus’ higher status and preeminence.
John the Baptist uses two titles for Jesus. The first is “The Lamb of God.” In the Gospel of John, we see a deliberate shift where Jesus is not baptized, and there is no public testimony from the Spirit, unlike in the Synoptic Gospels. John acknowledges that prior to this revelation, he didn’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah but that he came with a mission to prepare the way for Him. The Spirit reveals to John how to identify the Messiah: “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.” John receives confirmation that Jesus is “the Chosen One.”
The title “Lamb of God” carries profound implications. It directly connects to the Passover Lamb described in Exodus 12. The Passover lamb was sacrificed, and its blood was smeared over the doorposts to protect the Israelites from the final plague to Egypt. This act of salvation became a defining moment for God’s people, leading to their liberation. Additionally, the imagery of the lamb recalls the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22, where God provides a ram in lieu of Isaac. John’s designation of Jesus as the Lamb of God further layers this sacrificial symbolism when it connects Jesus to the Suffering Servant prophecy in Isaiah: “like a lamb that is led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). Thus, John paints a picture of Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, destined for a mission of suffering and redemption.
The second title the Gospel uses is Son of God. This title appears in verse 32, where John recalls his vision of the Spirit confirming this identity. Throughout John's Gospel, the significance of being “the Son of God” transcends mere representation; it reveals Jesus’ divine nature. He is not merely a prophet or a messenger; He is God incarnate. The prologue of John had already emphasized this title for Jesus: “the Word became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14). Jesus, by using the divine name “I am” throughout this Gospel, affirms His identity as God. You may remember that this is the name God gives himself in Exodus 3, when Moses asks him, “Who are you?” God responds, “Tell my people I AM has sent you.” Jesus affirms his divinity on seven occasions by using this I AM title. He says, “I am the bread of life,” “I am the light of the world,” “I am the good shepherd,” etc. Each of these declarations reinforces the essential truth that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human. His disciples recognize this reality, to the point that two of John’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus once they hear John use this title.
The last two titles in the passage come from Andrew. When Jesus encounters these two disciples, He asks, “What are you looking for?” This question resonates deeply, not just in the context of the story but in our lives today. It challenges us to reflect on our desires and motivations. What are we seeking in our faith? What brings us to church every Sunday? The disciples respond with curiosity: “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Instead of providing a direct answer, Jesus invites them with profound simplicity: “Come and see.” This invitation serves as the third title for Jesus: Rabbi. Calling Jesus “Rabbi” signifies a recognition of Him as a teacher, someone from whom they wish to learn. In the Gospel of John, Jesus takes on the role of a teacher on many occasions, preaching sermons that sometimes cover several chapters.
Jesus’ invitation, “come and see” is an invitation to the disciples to actively engage in a relationship with Him. It is a call to abide with Him, to live in the experience of His life and ministry. By asking these early disciples to “come and see,” Jesus invites not only their curiosity but their participation as well. This framework of discipleship captures the essence of following Jesus; it is not a passive endeavor. It is a vocational invitation to come alongside Him, to witness His actions, and to share the transformative power of the Gospel with others. Andrew hears this call and responds by telling his brother Peter about Jesus, leading Peter to leave everything behind to follow the Rabbi.
The last title in this passage also comes from Andrew as well. He tells his brother Peter, “We have found the Messiah.” Though the term Messiah has been applied to various figures in history, including kings and priests, it reflects a profound hope for liberation and restoration. Many Jews anticipated a liberator who would free them from foreign oppression, gathering Israel for a time of justice and prosperity. However, John subtly introduces a different understanding of the Messiah. The imagery connected to the Suffering Servant and the Lamb of God helps shape our understanding of what type of Messiah Jesus will be. Jesus is not merely a political figure but embodies a deeper mission, one rooted in sacrifice, service, and love.
To summarize, the passage of John 1:29-42 presents Jesus with four essential titles: the Lamb of God, the Son of God, Rabbi, and the Messiah. Each title reveals significant aspects of Jesus' identity and mission. As we conclude this reflection, let us return to Jesus’ penetrating question: “What are you looking for?” This remains a critical inquiry for each of us. Are we seeking God’s presence in our lives? Do we come to church with the intention to abide with Him, allowing His presence to transform us? Are we ready to participate in the story of redemption and share it with others? This season of Ordinary Time offers us a unique opportunity to deepen our hunger and thirst for God’s Son. As we contemplate these titles and their implications, may we be inspired to issue invitations ourselves, inviting others to “come and see” the transformative journey of faith with Jesus. If we genuinely examine our motivations and align our hearts with His mission, we can contribute to a Church and world that reflect His love and grace.
May God bless each of you with a deeper desire to seek Him and may your journey through this season be filled with revelation, reflection, and renewed commitment to live faithfully the often challenging, and always rewarding, call to discipleship.
May our Lord continue to bless you,
Fr. Roman+
