Growing In Godliness Blog
“The Lamb of God”
Categories: Author: Paul Earnhart, Humility, Jesus, SubmissionThe Lamb of God
By Paul Earnhart
After His temptations in the wilderness, Jesus returned to the Jordan river where John was baptizing. As Jesus approached, John exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29).
How was Jesus the Lamb of God?
There are several significant things about a lamb. Lambs are harmless. Perhaps for this reason they have become a symbol of innocence. Among intelligent human beings, Jesus was the truly innocent person who ever lived. Peter, who knew Him well, was guided by the Holy Spirit to say that He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth (1 Pet. 2:22).
Sheep, and lambs in particular, are noted for their complete submission to domination. Isaiah predicted that Jesus would be led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, He would not even open His mouth ( Isa. 53:7). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy toward the end of His life when He allowed Himself to be arrested and tried. He spoke only when spoken to and never raised His voice in His own defense. He submitted to wicked men because He was completely submissive to God and realized this was God’s will for Him.
But the primary reason for calling Jesus a lamb was He came to be a sacrifice. Through the years, millions of innocent lambs had been sacrificed upon the altars of sinful men. The lambs had died that men might not have to be separated from God…the lambs died in their stead. Of course, the death of lambs could not substitute for the death of sinful men. Those lambs were but a symbol of the eventual sacrifice that would be sufficient as a substitute for all sinners of all time (Heb. 10:11-14). Jesus came to be that sacrifice, and so He is called “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
Is He your sacrifice? He is only if you obey Him.
