LAMB OF GOD

In today’s passage we read the only two references in Scripture to the title ‘Lamb of God’. John the Baptist had undoubtedly seen many lambs offered in sacrifice at the temple, but now he was given a unique insight into the coming sacrifice of our blessed Lord. He knew that Jesus would take away the sin of the world, v. 29. Like Abraham, on Moriah, and like the prophets of the Old Testament, 1 Pet 1.11, John looked ahead to Calvary, and he recognized that in Jesus the unique and final sacrifice for sin had come.

In the Old Testament there were many animals used in sacrifice, but none was selected as a title for the Lord Jesus except the Lamb of God. We never read of the ram of God or the bullock of God, or the pigeon of God. Why does this title belong so specially to Christ?

1. Think of the submissiveness of the Lamb. A lamb is a tender and gentle animal, a fitting symbol of our Lord who before Herod ‘answered him nothing’, Luke 23. 9, and, in all His sufferings, ‘he threatened not’, 1 Pet. 2. 23. ‘He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter’, Isa. 53. 7.

2. Consider also the sacrifice of the Lamb. Lambs without blemish were used as Old Testament sacrifices. But now the only perfect Lamb of history comes as the final sacrifice.

3. Finally, ponder the substitution of the Lamb. In Scripture we are pictured as wandering sheep, Isa. 53. 6, but our Lord came as the Lamb of God. He identified with us, that we might be identified with Him eternally as sons and daughters of the Almighty, and co-heirs with Christ!

Many people in the Bible heard two calls from God. Abraham, Gen. 22. 11, Samuel, 1 Sam. 3. 10, or Saul, Acts 9. 4. In our passage, however, two disciples heard two calls from the Baptist, and without hesitation they began to follow Jesus. May we hear the call today to behold the Lamb of God.

‘Lamb of God! Our souls adore Thee
While upon Thy face we gaze;
There the Father’s love and glory
Shine in all their brightest rays’. [James G. Deck]