CELEBRATING THE LAMB OF GOD

Behold, the LAMB of GOD, who takes away the sin of the world! – John 1:29

Our Messiah, Jesus Christ, is called “the Lamb of God” throughout the New Testament. Prophetic pictures and references to the Lamb of God are also numerous in the Old Testament. In Genesis 22, we find one of the best-known prophecies of the coming Lamb of God. God commanded Abraham to offer his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice. While not endorsing child sacrifice among men, God was foretelling His Son-sacrifice for men. In obedience to God, Abraham was willing to release anything to Him, even his beloved son. His test therefore became a testimony to the world. On the way to the altar, Isaac asked his dad, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” In response, Abraham prophesied, “My son, God will provide himself the LAMB for a burnt offering…” (vv. 7-8).

When they arrived at the place of sacrifice, Abraham prepared to offer Isaac to the Lord, but before he could slay his son, God stepped in and stopped him by providing a substitute lamb (vv.10-12). Before they left the mountain top, Abraham again prophesied the coming of the Lamb of God, “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-Jireh: as it is said to this day, ‘In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen” (v.14). About two millennia later, upon the very same mountain just outside of Jerusalem, God offered His only Son, the Lamb of God, as a sin offering to reconcile fallen man to the Holy Living God! John the Baptist testified of Him: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jh.1:29).  

The Lamb of God is again dramatically revealed in Exodus 12 and 13. The Jewish Feast of the Passover is a fascinating foreshadow of the Lamb of God. This feast, which occurred each year on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan, was eaten in remembrance of the Lord “passing over” the houses of those who had sacrificed the Passover Lamb and sprinkled its blood on their doorposts and lintel, while the angel of death visited those who had not sprinkled the blood of the lamb. This was the final of ten plagues sent by God to redeem His people from Egyptian bondage. Approximately 1,500 years later, the Passover Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed upon Calvary’s cross for the sins of all humankind. When the Day of the Lord comes, those who have covered themselves in the blood of the Lamb by accepting Christ will be kept safe while the unbelieving world pays for their rebellion against God.

Jesus came the first time as the Lamb. He will come again as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev.5:5-6). The compassionate Saviour will one day rule the world with Absolute Authority. The Lamb who died is the Lion who prevailed over death. The Lion prevailed to open the Book; the Lamb secures the Book: “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev.21:27). Heaven celebrates the Lamb of God: “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the LAMB that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:12).

I have learned to put on the meekness of the Lamb in order to possess the boldness and strength of the Lion. As I follow and celebrate the Lamb, the Lion protects me from all foes, especially the counterfeit lion, the devil, that’s lurking around, looking for whom to devour (1Pet.5:8). I am sold out to the Lamb Who was slain to redeem me!