BEHOLD THE LAMB

January 4

Bible Reading: John 1

John 1:29, “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”

John 1:35, “The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’”

“What can wash away my sin?” The old hymn asks a great question, arguably the most important of questions. How can I be acquitted of the sin-guilt that plagues my existence before my creator God?

The principle of a substitutionary sacrifice for sin was well established from that day when God took a lamb and shed its blood to provide garments of skin for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). When God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac asked, “Where is the Lamb?” to which Abraham replied, “God will provide for Himself the Lamb for the burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8)! ”And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns” (Genesis 22:13). As God provided a substitute that day, so in Jesus He provided a sacrifice for the “sin of the world.” Year after year, day by day, sacrifices were made in the temple. And it is estimated that some 20,000 lambs were slaughtered for Passover in Jesus’ day. But none of those sacrifices could take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). They instead foreshadowed God’s provision of the lamb of God, who would. The Jews of that day knew all about sacrificial lambs but were no doubt surprised by John the Baptist’s declaration! As the forerunner of Christ, John spoke of many things, but no more eloquent words could pass from his lips!

Jesus was a great teacher, wonderful healer, and a perfect example in all he said and did, but those weren’t the primary reasons for His coming.  He came to provide a way of salvation for sinners through His substitutionary sacrifice (1 Timothy 1:15).  The multitudes looked to John the Baptist, as he called folks to repentance, but then, before a multitude of followers, he directed their attention to Jesus as the sole means by which sins could be forgiven. 

What does that mean for you and me? God has provided a perfect sacrifice in Jesus, through which our sins can be forgiven (1 Peter 1:19). It is as we read in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” A divine transaction of miraculous proportion is availed to those who trust in Jesus. He was made to be sin, so that God might exchange our sin for Christ’s righteousness! Behold the Lamb! It is as the hymn says, “Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, to every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives” (To God be the Glory)!

What can wash away your sins?  Nothing but the shed blood of the Lamb of God!

LAMB OF GOD
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

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 called a lamb of God

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

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

-Twila Paris