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“And he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ “ – John 1:36

As he spoke to two of his followers, John the Baptist was, in effect, telling them that they should henceforth leave him to follow Jesus.  “The two disciples heard Him speak, and they followed Jesus.” – John 1:37.  On the previous day, when John had first seen Jesus coming, he had said, apparently to all his disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’’  – John 1:29

The Sacrificial Lamb

The Lord Jesus – the Lamb of God – was the one great, perfect sacrifice – for our sins.  He is called ‘the Lamb’ over 30 times in the New Testament, the final time no longer viewing Him on the altar as a sacrifice, but on His eternal throne – “the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it” – Revelation 22:3.  Yet, even on His throne as our King, He is still the Lamb, and we can never forget that He once died for us that we might live with Him.

Long before this, Isaac once asked his father, “ ‘Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’  Abraham said, ‘God will provide for Himself the lamb.’ “ – Genesis 22:7-8.  God did just that 2,000 years later, when Christ, “ ‘the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world’ “ – Revelation 13:8 “came into the world to save sinners” – 1 Timothy 1:15.  In fact, the place God led Abraham with Isaac was Mount Moriah – the same mount where the Lord Christ was crucified on Good Friday (Mount Moriah – the hill of Calvary – Golgotha).

Then when God was ready to set His people free in ancient Egypt, He told them to place the shed blood of a spotless lamb on the doorpost of each home and said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” – Exodus 12:13.  In fact, Good Friday – the day of the Lord’s crucifixion and death at Calvary – was on the same Friday of the annual Jewish feast and celebration of Passover.

In fulfillment of ancient sacrifices and types, the once-for-all Lamb of God came, and “Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV); “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV).

It is by His sacrifice, because of His great love for us, that our communion with God is restored.  We are sanctified by the covering of His shed blood. 

“The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things … but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” – 1 Peter 1:18-19

“But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering …” – Isaiah 53:10

Jesus became the perfect Passover lamb sacrifice meeting all the requirements set forth by God for a Passover lamb, to fulfill the blood sacrifice requirement for the remission of sin.  “Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” – Hebrews 9:22.  His blood sacrifice was made so that when we believe and obey, when we accept the substitutionary shedding of His blood for our sins, we might be saved from the wages of sin and death.  God made a way for mankind to enjoy Him forever, establishing a new covenant with man for the remission of sin, by giving us His son, the perfect Passover lamb sacrifice.

Now, like John’s disciples, it surely compels us, to the very depths of our souls, to ‘Behold the Lamb of God’ and follow Him.

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“ ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.’ ” – Revelation 5:12

“ “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’ ” – Revelation 6:16

“ ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ ” – Revelation 7:10

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come.” – Revelation 19:7

“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” – Revelation 21:22

“And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” – Revelation 21:23

“There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it.” – Revelation 22:3

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“And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’  And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.’ ” – Luke 22:19-20

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