Behold the Lamb—and Speak of Him

One of the clearest patterns throughout all of Scripture is this: everything exists to point to Christ.

Creation points to Christ.
The Law points to Christ.
The prophets pointed to Christ.
The apostles preached Christ.
Heaven itself is centered upon Christ.

Scripture leaves no ambiguity—Jesus Christ is the focal point of all redemptive history.

The Gospel of John especially emphasizes this reality. Again and again, people are confronted with the question: What will you do with Christ?

Among the clearest examples in John’s Gospel is John the Baptist. John understood that his entire purpose was to bear witness to Jesus. When questioned by religious leaders, he continually redirected attention away from himself and toward Christ. He was not concerned with building his own name, platform, or recognition. He was a voice crying out, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

That pattern should characterize every true believer.

While Christians are not all called to the same role, every Christian is called to bear witness to Christ. The Great Commission was not given merely to pastors or missionaries. Christ commands His people to make disciples and proclaim the Gospel.

Yet modern Christianity often appears strangely silent.

Many believers will speak openly about politics, hobbies, careers, sports, and personal interests, yet rarely speak of Christ to those around them. Some surveys show nearly half of professing believers even view evangelism as intrusive or disrespectful. But the early church viewed the Gospel very differently. To them, the Gospel was not offensive news to conceal—it was glorious news to proclaim.

Why were the apostles and early believers so compelled to speak of Christ?

Because they had truly beheld the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Andrew first encountered Jesus in John’s Gospel, he immediately went and found his brother Simon Peter saying, “We have found the Messiah.” A genuine encounter with Christ produced immediate witness.

This remains true today. A believer may not possess advanced theological training or public speaking ability, but the Christian who truly understands what Christ has done cannot remain entirely indifferent to the souls of others, nor have little concern for the glory of Christ.

The issue is not personality type or gifting alone. Some believers are naturally more bold than others. Some are gifted evangelists while others serve more quietly. But Scripture consistently presents a fundamental reality: those who genuinely know Christ desire to see others come to know Him also.

This does not mean every Christian will preach on a street corner or become a missionary overseas, or that the Gospel will be shared every single day. But it does mean the Christian life cannot become entirely self-focused. Christ did not save His people merely to gain doctrinal knowledge, pursue comfort, or remain spiritually isolated. Believers are ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.

The early church grew because ordinary Christians could not stop speaking about the Savior they had come to know.

And the same principle remains today.

The Christian who continually beholds Christ will increasingly desire to speak of Christ.

Not perfectly. Not without fear. Not without weakness. But genuinely.

This is because the believer remembers what it means to be forgiven. He remembers the burden of guilt removed through the cross. He remembers that Christ is not merely helpful advice for life, but the only Savior for sinners.

John the Baptist cried out.
The apostles cried out.
The early church cried out.

And believers today are still called to point the world to Christ and say:
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
-Nathaniel Jolly