‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ John the Baptist said to his disciples when he saw Jesus. In these words we hear a genuine and deep longing of John that those who first followed him from now on would follow Jesus.
This is the pure desire of a true servant of God. Paul said, ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul did not say this to claim his followers forever for himself. No, he wanted others to follow him, until they themselves would have come to such faithful obedience that they could go on their own way rejoicing with the Lord.
John and Paul gladly entrusted their pupils to the great teacher Jesus Christ. The important question for us is: are we willing to follow Jesus so faithfully that it is worthwhile for others to become our followers? And are we also willing - and does it delight us – to entrust them to Jesus when they themselves come to see the Lamb of God? We will never see others become followers of Jesus if we are not prepared to truly obey Him ourselves. At the most, people will follow us to imitate us, but they will never follow Jesus if He did not become visible in our lives.
‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ John the Baptist said and his disciples followed Jesus. For John baptized with water, but Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. However, they did not follow Him because of the baptism, but because of Himself: to be with Him, for when Jesus asked, ‘What do you want?’ they answered, ‘Where are You staying?’ (John 1:39).