ADVENT SEASON
(THE ANTICIPATION OF CHRIST’S BIRTH IN THE SEASON LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS)
28 NAMES OF JESUS
DECEMBER 3, 2020
Name #4: “Lamb of God”
Scripture reading: John 1:29 – 36
What are some images that come to mind when we think of a lamb? In the biblical context, especially the Old Testament, we think of it as a sacrificial animal. Other ways we symbolize it are gentleness, innocence, purity, and meekness. Now, I have never been around sheep a whole lot. My experience is probably limited to county fairs. One thing I don’t picture associated with a lamb is a violent animal.
This is the term (Lamb of God) that John the Baptist used to refer to Jesus in our Scripture reading for today. “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” One sentence that says so much. The ways that we symbolized the lamb above fit our Savior so perfectly. But this same Lamb also took away the sins of the world. And here is the big difference when we talk about Jesus: A lamb when it is being led to slaughter is ignorant of what is going to happen. It gently goes to its death. But Jesus knew perfectly what was going to happen when he went to trial. And yet, the attributes still apply to Jesus: pure, innocent, gentle, and meek. But for Him, it was a choice. He could have stopped it all with a great show of force unlike anything ever seen.
So, the mental picture I get when we talk about the Lamb of God is One Who was sinless being led to a cross that he chose to bear because it was the only way for our sin to be taken away. He who was sinless was obedient to the Father. He was the perfect sacrifice, the perfect lamb. Lastly, one of the attributes of the lamb was meekness. Please don’t confuse that with weakness. Humble? Yes! Weak? No!
As you go through the day today, keep the image of the Lamb of God in your mind. It might help us stay calm when we don’t want to be. It might help us do the right thing when we are tempted to do wrong. And maybe, it will help us with a gentle word.
Dave Kellerman