Monday, February 3, 2008
John 1:29 Behold! The Lamb of God!
THE NAMES OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR: LAMB OF GOD
This name -- the Lamb of God -- is one of the most beloved and cherished names given to our Lord Jesus Christ. It was meaningful both to the Jewish people and to the early Christians. John the Baptist first ascribed this name to our Lord, and it marked Him very specially in the eyes and minds of all. "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29, 36).
But if you look for this name in the Gospels outside of this passage, you will search in vain. This, however, does not mean there was little or no impact in it. This name was still so alive in the minds of the Christians in later times that Peter could write: "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a LAMB without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:18-19). We also find in Acts chapter eight that Philip heard the eunuch of Ethiopia reading Isaiah's passage on the lamb led to slaughter (Isaiah 53) and immediately showed him that perfect fulfillment was in Jesus.
Of course the name has also survived in Christian hymns, especially those for the Passion season. Some of the most well-known are these:
"A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, The guilt of all men bearing."
"Lamb of God, pure and holy, Who on the cross didst suffer."
"O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world."
"Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood Shall never lose its power."
"Behold the Lamb of God! O Thou for sinners slain."
"Jesus Christ, our Lord most holy, Lamb of God so pure and lowly."
"O Lamb of God, I come, I come."
