Jesus: The Lamb of God
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For the past year we have been examining the Name in which we are to commanded to pray:
John 14:12–14 (NASB95)[Jesus said:]“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
John 16:23b–24 (NASB95) [Jesus also said:] “… Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 24 “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask [in My Name] and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
In accordance with these promises of scriptures, promises that Jesus Himself made, we strongly believe in praying according to the authority and nature of Jesus.
Tonight’s preface to prayer introduces a new consideration of a particular aspect of the nature of Jesus.
Jesus attained that aspect by humbling Himself to become something that we cannot.
He was broken.
No bones were broken, but He was broken in so many others ways.
I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, but this morning Bro. Wagner was preaching on brokenness:
The sermon title was entitled: “Let the Breaking Begin”
Based on James 1:2-4
King David said in: Psalm 51:15–17 (NASB95) O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise. 16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Jesus willingly submitted Himself to be something we especially remember and recognize at this time of the year.
Or, at least, I pray that every year at this time we think about Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
This past Wednesday we began a special season.
Liturgical churches observe a season of Lenten or Lent.
Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) says: Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. Lent is often described as a time of preparation and an opportunity to go deeper with God. This means that it’s a time for personal reflection that prepares people’s hearts and minds for Good Friday and Easter.
I can’t think of a better way to prepare for remembering the death and burial of Jesus and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus than thinking about what the John the Baptist said in:
John 1:29 (NASB95) The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:35–37 (NASB95) Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
As I prepared for this prayer devotional I wondered what John meant, what the Holy Spirit was leading him to reveal, as he spoke of Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Was he thinking about the pre-figuring of who Messiah was and what He would do as the Lamb as revealed in Genesis and Exodus.
Or maybe the Holy Spirit was reminding John of the prophecy of what Messiah would do as the Lamb of God is revealed in Isaiah 53.
Isaiah 53:7 (NASB95) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
Though he couldn’t see it yet, maybe the Holy Spirit was giving John a glimpse into heaven
to see and hear the proclamation of Jesus as the Lamb of God as Jesus is proclaimed the Lamb of God. We see and hear that proclamation in Revelation.
Revelation 5:6–14 (NASB95) And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” 13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
So tonight, as we prepare to pray, let’s begin to think about Jesus as the Lamb of God as we think about His prefigurement in:
Genesis 22:1–18 (NASB95) Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. 9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” 13 Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. 14 Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.” 15 Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Before we pray tonight, let’s think about this passage from Genesis.
First, God tested Abraham.
Are we ready to be tested?
Perhaps we are in the middle of the test — how are we doing?
Consider to God’s test of Abraham as He commanded in:
Vs.2 “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”
And Abraham did it!
By faith, he took the son that God had given him in his and Sarah’s old-age to offer him as a burnt offering.
Hebrews 11:17–19 (NASB95) By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
Lent is often considered a time for “giving up” something.
How appropriate that we think about Abraham giving up his miracle-boy because he believed the promise God had given him — “that your descendents will be a numerous as the stars in the sky” that God’s promise would be fulfilled through Isaac.
Even though God told Abraham to offer up Isaac, he stilled believed the earlier promise that God gave him.
Incredible!
What is God asking us to give up?
To what is God referring when He asks, “Do you love me more than this? Or more than these?”
Second, think about the journey to fulfilment.
Three days to get there — it must have seemed like an eternity to Abraham!
Do doubt there were constant questions from the boy.
To which Abraham would reply like he did in verse 8: “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”
Exactly what God did in giving Jesus.
He provided a Lamb.
But going through that journey being questioned by Isaac, and maybe by his servants.
It can be hard when we question.
But then to have others pile on...
Thirdly, think about God’s provision.
It was in THIS provision that Abraham called God Yaweh Jireh — God who provides.
Not in times of famine or thirst.
Not in times of danger or being separated from family and friends.
No!
It was when God provided a Ram to replace Isaac.
A ram with his horns caught in the thicket by his horns.
Jesus was prefigured in that ram.
He love captured Him and caused Him to be taken as the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.
Finally, think about God commendations and promises for Abraham’s obedience.
God will not call us to sacrifice without providing a better blessing.
Even if He calls us to give our lives — there is a better blessing in glory.
What was John the Baptist thinking when he said:
“Behold the Lamb of God!”
and
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
Maybe John was thinking of how Messiah was prefigured in Abraham’s test to offer his son Isaac.
Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.
As we do so, let’s think about what it means to us personally that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away MY sin and the sins of the whole world.
And then, at the culmination of God’s destiny for humanity we see Jesus revealed in:
No title advanced concerning Christ attracts more attention and arrests more interest than the winsome designation, “Lamb of God.” The portrayal is full of suggestiveness and indicates at once the sacrificial character He assumed, His submissive conformity to the divine will, the sublime comeliness of His nature as meek and lowly in heart, and the sympathetic compassion of the service He rendered when ministering to mankind.
The beauty of the figure also betokens gentleness of deportment and genuineness of disposition, combined with goodness and graciousness in both character and conduct, all of which features are perfectly suited in their application to the Saviour of the world.
In our contemplation of this charming portrayal of the Lamb we are reminded of another aspect well worthy of notice, for we not only stand face to face with the positive graces already mentioned, but on the negative side there is a total absence of all thought of harshness, hardness, and haughtiness in the picture of Christ that is represented herein.
From the earliest times in human history when Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock for presentation, until the record of the marriage supper of the Lamb, the Scriptures supply an ever-expanding detailed description of the sacrificial characteristics associated with the offering of lambs. All the essential values that are indicated by the terms sufficiency’s, sacrifices, supplies, sanctities, sureties, and securities are wholly and adequately furnished from the fullness incorporated in that one suggestive name, the Lamb of God.
The absolute sufficiency of an adequate provision being made for redemption is stipulated in the grand declaration of Abraham on Mount Moriah, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8).
The appointed sacrifice of an arranged passover ceremony, to secure deliverance from the bondage of Egypt and protection from the judgment of God, is expressed in a lamb (Exodus 12:3–4).
The abounding sustenance through an authorized perpetuation of daily offerings to insure the requisites for communion and devotion continually, is made available in figure, by an evening and morning burnt offering of a lamb. (Exodus 29:38–45).
The assured sanctity of an ever-availing purification which cleanses from all defilement and pollution is supplied through the presentation of three lambs without blemish (Leviticus 14:10–14).
The acknowledged surety for acceptable participation in the feast of firstfruits and for guaranteeing replete maintenance was also set forth in the offering of a male lamb without blemish (Leviticus 23:10–13).
The abandonment of submission for the achievement of propitiation, in the satisfying of every claim of divine justice for the securing of justification, is likewise made effectual through a lamb led to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7).
The all-absorbing scene at Jordan crowns with glory the whole of the preceding features, for when the Son of man approached the whole attention of John the Baptist was riveted upon Him and he exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
The ever-widening, ever-expanding witness to the necessity and efficacy of a perfect sacrifice spans the entire record of Old Testament history, and covers in its range every form of requirement, which includes that of the personal, racial, national, and universal need. Christ pledged to His disciples that they were to see greater things than these, and when we turn to consider the glorious unveiling in the book of Revelation we are greeted with the most glowing tribute of praise that was ever augmented, the whole volume of which is directed to the glories of the altogether lovely One, in His sacrificial character as the Lamb.
A flash summary of the gorgeous panorama in which the title occurs, twenty-eight times in reference to Christ, is all we have room for here. The all-powerful authority of the omnipotence of the godhead dwells in Christ in His sacrificial character as the Lamb. He wields the scepter of age-abiding kingship eternally and infinitely in this same character. The administrator of the laws of the universe, with advocateship in mediation for nations, peoples, and tongues, is through one designated the Lamb. The Almighty, which is and was and is to come, the appointed heir of all things with complete right and title is likewise the Lamb. The surety for salvation and sanctification, the acceptance as sons before the heavenly throne is all willed and wrought by the Lamb. The Arraigner of the greatest assemblage ever congregated and the Adjudicator of all men and movements is the Lamb. The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last is none other than the Lamb.
When victory has been gained in war and the high command of a nation is pinning the decorations won for heroism on the breasts of the heroes, the true soldier prefers to present himself in the scarred battle dress in which he fought in order to receive his honor. The priest of Israel, when presenting a burnt offering, was permitted to take to himself the skin of the sacrifice, as a witness to all the character of the offering made (Leviticus 7:8). So likewise the blessed Saviour is forever displaying to the redeemed hosts above the distinctive and colorful marks of sacrifice by which he secured His right of claim as Saviour and reward of conquest as Sovereign. The great High Priest will bear and wear this lamblike feature forever.
The infinite pleasures of the Father’s immortal delight revel complacently in the Sons’ inherent beauties and rest unabatingly in the full-orbed perfections of His best Beloved, who had power to lay down His life and power to take it again by divine decree (John 10:18). Cherubim and seraphim worship and magnify His radiant virtues in all the unvarying steadfastness of their eternal loyalty. Angels and ministering spirits admire and acclaim His matchless character and adore Him incessantly for having established their status forever in undefiled splendor. The redeemed hosts that are qualified to participate in the perfect pageant of those unmarred celebrations relish the sublimity of the Saviour’s glory and honor, for it is through His sacrificial love they live, reign, and rejoice evermore. Again we affirm that the sacrificial character of Christ is the criterion that carries with it every office of distinction, every rank of dominion, every title of deity, and every position of dignified honor in a heavenly domain too divine for words to describe.
Rolls, C. (1984). Time’s Noblest Name: Names and Titles of Jesus Christ: L-O. Loizeaux Brothers.