“The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'” John 1:29, NIV

 

As a child, I saw my dad slaughtering sheep a few times. In order not to completely exclude myself from this “giving a life to have a life,” I took hold of the sheep’s hoofs and avoided peeping at the throat. Only once there were no more reflexes could I get myself to look at the animal – with mixed emotions of loss and thankfulness for offering its own life for us to enjoy the benefit.

 

That brings me to Jesus Christ, the Lamb and Son of God, who had to die so that stray sheep like me, you, and all mankind, are able to escape death and separation from God. John was baptising people when he saw Jesus coming to him. He said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) How did John know this? God told him earlier that the Anointed One was the man on whom the Spirit came and remained, the one who baptised with the Holy Spirit.” (John 1:33) And that was exactly what happened when Jesus was baptised by John. No small wonder that he could say with conviction:” I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” (John 1:34)

 

Do you see the link? The Son of God is also the Lamb of God. He was willing to give his own life on the cursed tree because we all “have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) Of Jesus, the Lamb, is said: “… he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

 

Do you understand what happened? Man became lost on account of sin. The precious blood of Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb without blemish or defect, was the price paid to redeem me, you, and every other human being on earth. (1 Peter 1:19) Our “transaction” with God is, therefore, not a gold-and-silver economy; it is a life-and-death economy. I exchange my life-in-death, for a life-in-the-Life. The blood of the Lamb of God is a godly, worthy price and provides an everlasting bond between God and man.”

 

And one day, if your name and mine are found written in the Lamb’s book of life, we will see him face to face. (Revelation 21:27) And one thing I know for sure is that we will fall on our knees and worship him!

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the sacrificial Lamb that erased my path of sin. As I strive to dedicate my new life to you, I am dependent on you, the Governor of my life. Amen.