Lamb of God

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” John 1:29

The Messiah was someone who was going to save his people and reign forever, and here in perhaps His first public introduction, Jesus is called a lamb- probably not the animal that I would have initially associated with the Son of the Most High. Then again, this is becoming a pattern with Him. Jesus is certainly not what was expected; from the outside, perhaps it even seemed like He was less than what was expected. When in reality, He was so much more, and that is what we find once again with this name- the Lamb of God.

The Old Testament gives us two beautiful stories that heavily rely upon a lamb/sheep which help us to better understand this title. In Genesis 22, God tells Abraham to take his only son Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice. They reach their destination and Abraham builds the altar and places his only son upon it. He has his knife in his hand and is preparing to offer his son, when God stops him and tells him not to harm Isaac. “Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” (verse 13-14) Abraham showed his faith in God, and God showed His faithfulness to mankind. Through Abraham, God promised “all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (verse 18) Just as God provided a ram as a substitutionary offering for Abraham and Isaac, God has also provided a substitutionary offering for all of mankind- one of Abraham’s descendants and God’s only son, Jesus Christ. He took our place and offers us a place alongside Him instead. He took our condemnation and offers us grace, mercy and love in its place.

Several hundreds year later, we find Abraham’s descendants laboring in Egypt. Moses has been sent to secure the release of the people of Israel, but Pharoah has obstinately refused. Even in the face of nine plagues, Pharoah has continued to refuse to let the Israelites leave. So God tells Moses and the people of Israel to prepare for one last plague. They are to select a one-year-old, unblemished male from the flock (sheep or goats) for each household. The animals are to be slaughtered, blood is to be placed on the frame of their doors and they are to eat the meat while waiting in readiness. God tells Israel, “When the Lord passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, He will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike you.” (Genesis 12:23) Israel obeyed the Lord’s command and God protected and saved His people from destruction that night- passing over their homes. The blood of the unblemished lamb was a mark on the doors of those who believed and obeyed God that night. The blood of the unblemished Lamb is the mark that will save those who believe and obey God from eternal destruction and condemnation.

A lamb may be viewed as a meek and mild creature, but the Lamb of God is One of meekness and might, gentleness and power. Jesus is our Lamb of God- the only sacrifice that could spare us from God’s wrath, savings us from the destruction we have earned, once and for all.

Revelation 17:14, Revelation 22:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 1:18-19

Lord,
Your faithfulness astounds me. Your grace and mercy humble me. Help us live this day for Your glory and bring praise to Your name.