In John 1:29–42, we witness a remarkable moment of spiritual intuition. John the Baptist sees Jesus approaching and declares, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” This proclamation is not the result of careful analysis or shared ministry. So how did John know this? Perhaps it is born from John’s own attentiveness, humility, and life shaped by listening for God’s movement.
John’s intuition is grounded in relationship rather than status. John is the cousin of Jesus. In addition, John seems to know that his role is to point towards Jesus. In a way, he knows who he is—and who he is not. John has indeed drawn crowds, confronted power, and stirred hope, yet when Jesus appears, John’s instinct is not to cling to influence but to point away from himself. His insight flows from his vocation: preparing the way. John is deeply aligned with God’s purpose; he recognizes God’s presence in a way that can only be described as intuition.
So what is intuition? A pastoral description of intuition might say, “Intuition is often understood as attentiveness.” It is the fruit of listening—listening to God, to others, to the world, and to one’s own heart.
And clearly, John is listening to his heart. He is aware of what is at stake in his description of Jesus. Calling Jesus “the Lamb of God” connects Jesus to Israel’s sacrificial story, liberation from bondage, and the hope of forgiveness and renewal. John senses that Jesus will confront sin not through force or domination, but through self-giving love. This is not obvious on the surface; it requires spiritual perception shaped by prayer, scripture, and trust.
John’s intuition is also confirmed in the community. He shares his insight with his disciples, who then follow Jesus themselves. The Baptist does not hoard revelation; he releases it. His joy is fulfilled not in being followed, but in helping others encounter the One to whom he points. Intuition, in this sense, is not private mysticism but a gift meant to be shared.
For contemporary readers, John the Baptist models a way of being rooted in faithfulness. When we attune ourselves to God’s purposes, let go of ego, and remain open to surprise, we may find that recognition comes not through certainty, but through trust. Like John, we are invited to notice where God is already at work and to say, with courage and clarity, “Here he is.”
Pastor Todd