July 3, Behold Jesus

Consider the identity of Jesus as the Lamb of God.  The phrase indicates not that Jesus was weak or vulnerable, but that as a lamb He was the perfect sacrifice.  Isaiah described Jesus as a “lamb led to the slaughter.”  He was further described as “a silent sheep before the shearers.” (Isaiah 53:7).  This indicates that Jesus willingly obeyed the Father in being the sacrifice for man’s sin.  

I John 4:10 reminds us that Jesus was our substitution: This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. We, in our sin, deserved to die upon the cross; yet, Jesus obeyed the Father and took our place.  As the Old Testament required the unblemished lamb for the sacrifice so that sins would be forgiven, Jesus became that ultimate sacrifice for you and me.  So, He is called the Lamb of God, as He has become our ultimate sacrifice and a substitute for our sin.  Hebrews 9:26 describes Jesus’s death on the cross as “having done away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”  Wow!  He is the Lamb of God indeed.                   

 “BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.” 

Consider the work of the cross.  Jesus has taken away the sin of the world.  (Obviously, this does not indicate that everyone will place their faith in Jesus and be saved, for the Scriptures do not teach this.)  However, to realize He has taken away the sin of the world is to say, He has overcome the world (John 16:33).  Sin, death, Hell, and the grave stand defeated because of Jesus.   

So, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world does not indicate weakness, but rather victory, and the rule of Jesus Christ as King.  In the Book of the Revelation, John wrote of the eternal worship of our King of Kings, the Lamb of God:  
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!The four living creatures said, Amen, and the elders fell down and worshiped."(Revelation 5:12-14)

I realize that today there is much on your mind and on your schedule, but take time this morning to praise the Lamb who was slain. Worship Jesus Christ in your heart. "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

Blessings.