The LAMB OF GOD

Lamb of God. Why is Jesus Christ referred to as a "Lamb" and not something else from the animal kingdom. You know, I enjoy watching rugby league on television at weekends.

All the Australian NRL teams have names symbolizing an animal or something that comes from the area of the team. The Canterburys are Bulldogs, while the South Sydneys are Rabbits and there are others like the Roosters, Tigers, Panthers, Sharks and the Broncos.

Even Countries name their football teams after some animals or birds from their land. The South African rugby team are the Springboks, the British team Lions, and the France Roosters.

Even the Old Testament in the Book of Daniel, nations or the empires were referred to by animal symbols. The Babylonians were the Lion. The medo-persians were the Bears and the Greek were the Leopard because of the speed at which they will conquer the known world through Alexander the Great.

Much later people who performed brave acts were also referred to by some animal symbols. Richard the Lionhearted is one that comes to mind immediately.

So why was Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of the Living God, soon to come King of kings referred to as a “Lamb of God”. We know the Lamb is not an animal of strength like the Bear. Nor is it a majestic animal like the Lion, or an animal with speed like the Leopard or the Cheetah. Why the Lamb?

The lamb to me is an animal which is vulnerable and defenseless. It is an animal that needs to be protected, cared for and even fed if need be. It has no armor to protect itself from preys. It has no teeth to bite back in defense; it has no speed to flee from its attackers and it always follows, never leading by itself.

In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we find one of the better-known prophecies of the coming Lamb of God. In Genesis 22, God commands Abraham to offer his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice. God is not approving child sacrifice among men -- He is foretelling His Child sacrifice for men.

Abraham is obedient to God, not willing to keep anything from God, even his beloved son. On the way to the altar, Isaac asks his dad, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" In response, Abraham prophesied, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together" (Genesis 22:7-8).

When they arrive at the place of sacrifice, Abraham prepares to offer Isaac to the Lord, but before Abraham could slay his child, God stops him. We read, "Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!' So he said, 'Here I am.' And He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me'" (Genesis 22:10-12).

Before they leave the mountaintop, Abraham again prophesies the coming of the Lamb of God. "And Abraham called the name of that place Yahweh Jireh: as it is said to this day, 'In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen'" or God will provide. (Genesis 22:14).

About 2,000 years later, on that same mountain just outside Jerusalem, God offered His only Son, the Lamb of God, as a sin offering to restore fallen man to the Holy Living God Almighty.

The second most significant prophecy of the Lamb of God is in Exodus 12 and 13, with the Jewish Feast of the Passover. This is perhaps the most compelling foreshadow of the coming Lamb of God, the Messiah.

The Passover Feast occurs each year on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan. It is in remembrance of the Lord "passing over" the houses of those who had sacrificed the Passover Lamb and sprinkled its blood on their wooden doorposts.

The angel of death visited those who had not sprinkled the blood of the lamb. The angel of death was the final of ten plagues sent by God to redeem His people from slavery in Egypt, the land of their bondage.

About 1,500 years later, on the 14th day of Nisan, Jesus Christ was sacrificed on a wooden cross for the sins of all mankind. When the Day of the Lord comes, those who have covered themselves in the blood of the Lamb by accepting Christ will be safe while the world pays for their rebellion against God.

The third fulfillment of the prophecy of the Lamb of God is in the New Testament when John the Baptist declares, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29. John the Baptist was "the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight'" (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3).

He warned the world to "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). The Apostles "went out and preached that people should repent" (Mark 6:12), and Jesus declared, "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3,5).

"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." (Acts 3:19).

God Almighty has given this testimony to a fallen world: "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). Therefore, repent of your sins and accept the Lord your God who "so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Beloved this Lamb of God is coming soon. Repent of your sins and accept Him while you can. At His coming it will be too late. Accept Him Now while you still have breath.

Accept Him Now while there is peace. Accept the Lamb of God Now while you still have the ability to choose because when death comes, there will be no choice. Glory to God.

Click here to go to Power Scriptures page