Lamb of God

 ²⁶John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; ²⁷He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. ²⁸These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. ²⁹The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. ³⁰This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. ³¹And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. ³²And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. ³³And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. ³⁴And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. ³⁵Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; ³⁶And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! ³⁷And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

-John 1:26-37 (KJV)

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we often become complacent in the story. We take for granted what Jesus had to endure so that we can be made right with God. We even, in our own arrogance, think that God had to provide Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins. Did He have to do provide Jesus for us, to save us from our lives of sin? No, He did not. God provided Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins because of His great love for you and me. After all, it is us who are a sinful people. It is us who cheat on God. It is us who cannot even keep control of our sinful nature. Yet, it was God who provided a way for you and I to be forgiven. 

In today's Bible reading, I wanted to point out an important phrase that was spoken by John the Baptist. This phrase is found twice: in verse 29 and verse 36. The phrase is "Lamb of God." What did John mean by calling Jesus the Lamb of God. Well, first off, John knew who Jesus was. Verses 26-27 says, "I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; ²⁷He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." John is saying, in essence, that there is one standing here who is greater than him. Look at his words in verse 27, "He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." John is saying that Jesus is more valuable than he is because He is the Lamb of God. What does John mean by the phrase Lamb of God.

To fully understand, we must look back to the Old Testament. Exodus 29:38 says, "These are the sacrifices you are to offer regularly on the altar. Each day, offer two lambs that are a year old. (NLT)" Each day, they would offer lambs as a sacrifice for their sins. Each day, every day. Their sin was constantly before them. Maybe that would help us to realize how much sin that you and I actually have in our lives. Anyway, Jesus is now the lamb that was sacrificed for you and me. One sacrifice for all time. He is the Lamb (the sacrifice) of God for a sinful people. The daily sacrifice paid for the sins of the people. Now, Jesus is the one time, all time, sacrifice. The end of verse 29 says, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." No more sacrifices for sin, Jesus paid it all! 

Have you given your life to Christ, and accepted His salvation? When I attended church in Florida, we often sang a praise song called Lamb of God. Here are the words, and make them your praise to God today. Think About It.

Your only Son 
No sin to hide
But You have sent Him,
From Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God

Your gift of Love 
They crucified 
They laughed and scorned him as he died
The humble King 
They named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God

Chorus:
Oh Lamb of God, Sweet lamb of God 
I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God

I was so lost I should have died 
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be call a lamb of God

Chorus

Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Chris the Lamb of God