by Kyle Blevins – Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
The names of God tell us important information about who God is. So do the names of Jesus, and we hear about Jesus being the Lamb of God a lot, especially at Easter. Keep reading to learn more about why Jesus is called that and the incredible implications it has for us even today.
Most of us picture lambs as downy white animals frolicking in rolling green meadows or carried tenderly in the arms of their shepherd. Lambs represent gentleness, purity, and innocence. Though it is one of the most tender images of Christ in the New Testament, the phrase “Lamb of God” would have conjured far more disturbing pictures to those who heard John the Baptist hail Jesus with these words. Hadn’t many of them, at one time or another, carried one of their own lambs to the altar to be slaughtered as a sacrifice for their sins, a lamb that they had fed and bathed, the best animal in their small flock? Hadn’t the bloody sacrifice of an innocent animal provided a vivid image of the consequences of transgressing the Mosaic law? Surely, John must have shocked his listeners by applying the phrase “Lamb of God” to a living man.
When we pray to Jesus as the Lamb of God, we are praying to the One who voluntarily laid down his life to take in his own body the punishment for our sins and for the sins of the entire world. (excerpt provided by Ann Spangler, Praying the Names of God)
Key Scripture: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
What Does Lamb of God Mean?
To connect the dots for this question, we will want to take a look back into history and context of the Old Testament. Animal sacrifices are found all throughout books in the Old Testament. These blood offerings acted as a temporary covering for sin. In Leviticus 4:35, you get a clear picture of the process and the purpose. “..Through this process, the priest will purify the people from their sin, making them right with the Lord, and they will be forgiven.” (NLT, emphasis mine)
So the purpose of animal sacrifice and offerings was sanctification, righteousness (or right standing with God), and forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 also sheds some light on the importance of the blood offering, saying, “In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” In summary, this was life under the law: the people knew if sin was present, a sacrifice was necessary for redemption.
These various sacrificial practices in Jewish culture often involved lambs; this animal had a very important place in the religion. Lambs are known for their white coats, and white is a symbol of purity and cleanliness.
Can you begin to see how why Jesus was called the Lamb of God? He, too, was stainless, perfect and free of sin. He was perfectly pure. And just like the lambs were sacrificed for sin, so would Christ be sacrificed.
Why is Jesus Called the Lamb of God?
Romans 8:3 does a wonderful job of summarizing the answer to this question. It states, “The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body, God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”
The sacrifices of the Old Testament were a temporary covering of sin. Sin still ruled in people’s hearts. Israel would commit the same sins over and over. A better way was necessary.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, was our once and for all sacrifice that fulfilled God’s need for a blood offering. He was the perfect sacrifice of love that brought the possibility of perpetual change to the world. The reference to Christ being the “Lamb” of God is because Jesus was a perfect offering of purity and cleanliness. He did nothing outside of the Father and was sinless despite being a man.
Where Is the Name Lamb of God Found in the Bible?
John 1:29 is one of the more popular verses where this reference to Jesus is found. This was documentation of John the Baptist seeing Jesus and exclaims “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” It is also used again in John 1:36 when John exclaims it again, which causes two disciples of John to follow Jesus. These verses are a direct indication of Jesus’ character and purpose. Revelation also references “the Lamb” several times in an end-time context. Revelation 12:11 states, “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb..” Revelation 21:27 also references “the Lamb’s book of life.”
Why Does It Matter that Jesus is the Lamb of God?
We would most likely be in an uproar in American culture if we saw a story on the news about an animal sacrifice. While it may be looked down upon today, the reasoning behind it is not uncommon for us. That’s because, no matter what culture we come from, we understand the concept of payment and restitution. If we want something, it must be paid for. Likewise, if we break something or do something wrong, we should pay for it in some way with something precious to us, be it money or time.
The fact that Jesus is the Lamb of God, that He gave Himself up for us in one ultimate sacrifice, means everything in the Christian lifestyle. Prior to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, our right standing with God depended on our completion of a sacrifice ourselves. We could not approach God unless we had done this other thing first. Now through Jesus, we have direct access to the Father. The moment we recognize our sin, we can immediately enter into prayer and we can communicate with God.
We Can Draw Near to God because of the Blood of the Lamb
Hebrews 10:19-22 explains the weight of Jesus’ act saying, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter Heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” (NLT, emphasis mine)
James 4:8 also begins by saying “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” It is only because of the Lamb of God that we can draw near to God. The result of drawing near is the beginning of our faith and a way out of the cycle of sin.
We Can Draw Near to God because of the Blood of the Lamb
Hebrews 10:19-22 explains the weight of Jesus’ act saying, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter Heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” (NLT, emphasis mine)
James 4:8 also begins by saying “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” It is only because of the Lamb of God that we can draw near to God. The result of drawing near is the beginning of our faith and a way out of the cycle of sin.
What Does It Mean for Me That Jesus is The Lamb of God?
It means you have a reason to worship. This is the sole reason we worship other than just to be in awe of God, but Jesus’ sacrifice is what makes that awe even greater. Have you ever been in a worship concert or even seen one on television and the crowds are going absolutely nuts? You see people dancing, singing, shouting, crying, running, and about any other emotion you can think of. As odd as it may seem, it is really a beautiful thing. When you see this, it is because people understand the magnitude of what Jesus did on the cross. It is a very personal, intimate connection. You can go there now. Enter in by looking at these declarations of worship and scriptures.
Declarations of Worship with Scriptures:
Jesus, you took my place. (1 Peter 3:18)
I can go straight to the father now in thought and prayer. (John 16:23)
You have made me a victor over sin because you have laid the path for me. (1 John 3:6-7)
You love me and now I can love others through you. (1 John 4:19)
You made me into something new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
There is nothing I can do that would stop you from loving me. (Romans 8:38-39)
You comfort me because you are my source. (1 John 5:11-12)
Your ways are greater than my ways and you will show me new things now. (Isaiah 55:9)
Find whatever triggers your gratitude the most. Dig deep within yourself and find what wants to cry out. Through Jesus you can now break any chains. Nothing is stopping you from getting closer to God besides yourself because He made a way. Now, just close your eyes and connect with God through thanksgiving in whatever way you are led. Hold nothing back for the sake of truly moving forward and remember that nothing was held back for you. You are loved.
Declarations of Worship with Scriptures:
· Jesus, you took my place. (1 Peter 3:18)
· I can go straight to the father now in thought and prayer. (John 16:23)
· You have made me a victor over sin because you have laid the path for me. (1 John 3:6-7)
· You love me and now I can love others through you. (1 John 4:19)
· You made me into something new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
· There is nothing I can do that would stop you from loving me. (Romans 8:38-39)
· You comfort me because you are my source. (1 John 5:11-12)
· Your ways are greater than my ways and you will show me new things now. (Isaiah 55:9)
Find whatever triggers your gratitude the most. Dig deep within yourself and find what wants to cry out. Through Jesus you can now break any chains. Nothing is stopping you from getting closer to God besides yourself because He made a way. Now, just close your eyes and connect with God through thanksgiving in whatever way you are led. Hold nothing back for the sake of truly moving forward and remember that nothing was held back for you. You are loved.
A Prayer to Our Lamb of God
Jesus, Our Precious Lamb of God:
Thank you, Lord, for taking my place, for dying the death my sins deserve. Thank you that because of you, I can go straight to God in prayer – you have torn the curtain in two and made a way for us. Because of your death, I can go before God in confidence, fully trusting Him. Your blood has made me clean. Thank you, Jesus!
Because you are our Lamb of God, you made a way for us to be transformed from sin. We know that the law could only reveal our sin, not save us from it. You, however, conquered sin and it no longer reigns in my life. Thank you, Jesus!
Because of your sacrifice, I can rest secure. I can love others freely. I pray I can live a life that is worthy of the calling you have set before us.
Thank you, Jesus, that there is nothing I can do to keep you from loving me. You have made me into something new. Help me, Lord, live in light of that love. Help me die to myself and live for you.
Thank you for your amazing, lavishing, transforming love for me. Help me live in light of that love.
In Your Name I pray,
Amen.