Lamb of God

Lamb of God was the name for Jesus on December 6th of the Names of Jesus Advent[1] that I read. Ever since, I keep coming back to it, and the verse I wrote down to go with it.

The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

John 1:29

This verse captures the crux of why Jesus came. I believe that God had given John the Baptist divine insight even in the womb (Luke 1:41) and that given who is father was, John knew the prophecies of the Messiah, but it is still an incredible statement. We read it now, and we know what Jesus’ destiny was – sacrificial death on the cross for our sin, taking the full wrath of the Father, but John said this pre-cross. In fact, it was really before Jesus had begun His official ministry. Yet this proclamation is the overarching truth of Jesus’ ministry.

Can you imagine what those listening must have thought? Whatever went through the listeners’ minds, we know that the next day when John again said, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” two of his disciples immediately followed Jesus.

Let’s look a little closer at this precious name and description of Jesus.

“Behold,” – with this exclamation, John calls to the crowd around him to turn their focus to Jesus. John had his own followers. He was in the middle of his baptism ministry, but as soon as he saw Jesus, he shifted all attention to where it was rightly due. He was not worried about his status or recognition. In fact, his ministry of baptism was to help people prepare their hearts and minds for the coming Messiah. Now the Messiah was there. John quickly, humbly and gladly stepped aside.

As I think of my own ministries, I need to check my heart, actions and words. Am I calling people to behold the Messiah? Am I willing to step aside, so that Jesus receives all the glory due His name?

“the Lamb of God” – I love all the images, illustrations and foreshadowing God uses in the Old Testament to point us to the Messiah and how He would redeem His people. One of these repeated illustrations is in the sacrifice of a lamb. From the very first when sin entered the world with Adam and Eve, God required an animal sacrifice to cover sin (Genesis 3:21). Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, took our sin and gave all those who believe in Him the clothing of His righteousness (Colossians 3:5-14).

In Genesis 22, God calls Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, the son of God’s covenant promise. In faith, Abraham steps out in obedience, but God stops him at the last minute and provides a ram instead. God spared Isaac, but He would not spare His own Son.

When the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, through Moses, God called them out to the Promised Land, a land that would be their own. Leading up to the Exodus, God brought ten plagues on Egypt. The final plague was the death of the first-born son for all the families who did not spread the blood of a slain lamb on their doorposts. For those that obeyed, God “passed over” killing the first-born son. Jesus, God’s only Son, died so that sin’s penalty of death would pass over us.

In Leviticus 4:32-25 God outlines the requirements for a guilt or sin offering – a lamb without blemish. Jesus is the perfect, unblemished, righteous Lamb. In the Old Testament, the guilt or sin offering had to be made repeatedly, and once a year on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest alone would enter the Holy of Holies to make an atoning sacrifice. That is why the veil to the Holy of Holies (Matthew 27:51) is such a beautiful and astounding event. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the once and for all sacrifice that was needed, that no other man could ever do (Hebrews 10:1-18). For those who have trusted in the Lamb of God’s atoning sacrifice, our sin has been paid once and for all time, and we can now come boldly before the throne of grace because Jesus is our mediator (Hebrews 4:16).

Isaiah prophesied about the Messiah, comparing Him to a lamb. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

Wow! John preached volumes when he commanded the crowd to “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

“Who takes away the sin of the world” – John further elaborated on the Lamb of God by telling the crowd (and us) exactly what the Lamb would do. Did you notice that John used the singular of sin? “With the sense that that the entire guilt of humanity was collected into one and placed upon Jesus” (David Guzik). Jesus’ atonement is sufficient to cover, forgive and cleanse the sin of the whole world, and for those in Christ, it does just that. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) When God looks at those who are in Christ, He does not see their sin. He sees His Son’s perfect righteousness.

John’s declaration of Jesus and His purpose in coming keeps resonating in me. I want to behold the Lamb of God, Who has taken away all of my sin for all time and given me His righteousness. May I never cease to praise the Lamb of God.

Perfect song to go with, "Lamb of God" by Shane and Shane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q67W3Bh7kAw

[1] Lara Beeston, https://sweethoneycomb.com.au