Worship the eternal Lamb of God

John 1:30 This is He on behalf of whom I said, “After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.” John testified to the honor due Jesus Christ. He recognized Jesus’ higher rank, not in an earthly organizational or social way, but rank before God. One can’t be of higher rank than Jesus. He’s worthy of the highest honor, the greatest glory, complete submission, and enduring worship. I think we should keep this verse connected to the previous one. He’s worthy of these things because He is the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. The apostle Paul declared the same truth for the same reason when he wrote to the Philippians in 2:9-11. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The writer of Hebrews wrote of Jesus’ lofty rank when he introduced Jesus in this way in 1:3-4. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. Notice that the reason for the honor and glory is the same reason given by John and Paul—He laid down His life for us to take away our sin. John also testified to Jesus’ eternality. As we know, John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin, and was 6 months older than Jesus. So we know John saying that Jesus existed before him, wasn’t a reference to an earthly age comparison. It must be John’s way of saying Jesus is eternal life. He has always existed. Remember, He was in the beginning with God (v. 2). The source of our love is the eternal, living Word, the glorious Son of God, Jesus Christ. We are living today with Him! Isn’t that beyond full comprehension? We can read this and understand it in part, but to grasp the full glory of it is beyond us now. But some day, it will not be outside our ability to comprehend and understand. We will see Him as He is, wrote John in 1 John 3:2. With all that we have, let us worship Jesus for His rank and glory. Let’s be amazed that we have been united with Him in love and have the privilege of loving with Him. Watch who He puts in your path today to love and care for. Then receive what He gives you and share it with them. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.