The Lamb of God

My brother-in-law owns a large herd of sheep. He has been a sheep herder throughout his life. Lambing happens in the spring when all the babies are born, and those baby lambs are adorable. They soon learn who their shepherd is and they willingly follow and submit their will to the shepherd.

We read in John 1:29, “ . . .Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John the Baptist is referring to Jesus as the Lamb of God. He could have called him a number of other names including, the Messiah, the King, the Lord, but instead he chose to refer to Him as a lamb. John the Baptist used the lamb to communicate so much about Jesus.

Why a lamb and what does it symbolize?

Symbolism of the Lamb

In Exodus, when the destroying angel comes, only those who have marked their doors with blood are saved. Every home that has blood spread across the top of the door and down the sides is passed over and protected from the destroying angel. The Jewish religion still recognizes and celebrates Passover today.

The lamb was recognized as being innocent and its sacrifice was holy and protective. It pointed to another, infinite sacrifice that was yet to come.

Jesus Christ is that sacrifice. He was innocent, yet His blood delivers us from temporal and spiritual death. He, like the lamb, was spotless and pure, served as the sacrifice. Jesus was the ultimate Passover Lamb. 

Temple Sacrifice

During Biblical times, to keep the Law of Moses, lambs were regularly offered as a sacrifice in the temple. Each lamb had to be pure, spotless, and without blemish because it was symbolic of Jesus and His prophesied sacrifice.

The Mosaic law was very strict about sacrifice, and the priests adhered to this law when they offered sacrifices in the temple. It was important to keep the law and do it exactly as specified, which is why only certain lambs could be used.

What are Lambs Like?

Lambs are docile creatures. They are meek, innocent, vulnerable, trusting, dependent, and gentle. 

They are submissive and willing to follow their shepherd. They listen to the word of their shepherd because they trust him to lead them. 

Jesus similarly was meek and innocent. He was willing to submit His will to the will of the Father. He listened to Heavenly Father and trusted Him. Even when the pain in the Garden was so intense he bled from every pore and asked if the cup could be taken from Him, he willingly submitted.

Jesus As The Lamb

Jesus was innocent of the charge of blasphemy because he literally was the Son of God. He had the power to strike down any and all who sought to arrest Him, but He didn’t. He willingly submitted to arrest, to scourging, to mocking and ridiculing and eventually to the painful death of crucifixion. He had the power to avoid all of the pain, but he chose not to. He chose to fulfill his assignment.

Why?

He chose to follow through with the Atonement because He, like the lamb, was willing to follow  and willing to submit. He willingly laid down His life for us. He didn’t have to. He did this because He loves us more than we can even begin to comprehend. 

He suffered for each one of us because that was the plan. He knew it. He knew what the Father’s will was and He was willing to allow His own will to be swallowed up.

Jesus knew that each one of us was worth redeeming, that we were worth the pain and agony He suffered. That we were worth all that He endured. 

Questions To Ask Ourselves

Do I trust Jesus like a lamb trusts its shepherd? Do I not only believe in Him, but do I believe Him when He invites me to come, follow Him? Do I believe Him that He has paid the price for my sins? I believe that He has taken upon Himself all my pains, sorrows, heartaches, and afflictions?

How does His example change the way I respond to trials? Do I see trials differently because of what the Savior endured?

Am I willing to allow my will to be swallowed up by Heavenly Father’s will?

Most Important Event In History

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the single most important event in all of human history. Because of His willingness to die for each one of us we are saved from temporal death. Immortality is a free gift to all of us. We don’t need to do anything to be saved from physical death.

His sacrifice also saves us from spiritual death IF we choose Him. In order to return to Heavenly Father again, we must choose Him. We must choose to follow Jesus. We must choose to take His name upon us, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. It is a choice. 

Jesus loves us so much he willingly paid the price for us to have power over physical death and if we choose, to return and live forever with Heavenly Father. 

Like a lamb, Jesus submitted His will to the Father. Each of us has the opportunity to do the same every day. Our will is really the only thing that is truly our own and when we choose to give our will to God, we are showing our love for Him and our gratitude for His infinite and eternal sacrifice.

Activity

Gentle Like a Lamb Challenge

For one week:

• Speak softly.
• Respond without anger.
• Practice immediate obedience.
• Look for someone who needs protection or kindness.

At the end of the week, discuss:

• Was it easy or hard to be meek?
• How does this help us understand Jesus better?