29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”
35 The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples.36 As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” 37 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. John 29-36
Scripture has a variety of titles for Jesus – Messiah, Lord, Christ, Rabbi, Teacher – but the one that is probably least familiar to the modern world is the Lamb of God. Since most of us do not have a Jewish background, we may have a limited understanding of this designation. But the Israelites of that day understood its significance. Lambs were for sacrifice.
God has always dealt with transgression through the blood of sacrifices. When Adam and Eve Sand, and animal was slain to cover their nakedness and shame of two individuals (Gen. 3:21). On the first Passover, each household covered the doorway which sacrificial blood (Ex. 12:1-7). Later, a goat was slaughtered for the atonement of the entire nation (Lev. 16:15). Now in John 1:29, we see the ultimate sacrifice – the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.
Many lives are marked by some fine achievements, but think about the enormity of what Jesus accomplished through his death. Just as innocent animals had died in the place of the guilty, so Christ gave his perfect life for sinful mankind. He assumed full responsibility for all our sins and took the punishment that we deserved. As He hung on the cross, the judgment and wrath of God was poured out on Him instead of on us.
Since we are limited by our human minds and senses, we cannot fully understand all that the Lamb of God endured to bring us salvation. But we know enough to realize that we owe Him our lives. He took our place on the cross, so let's give Him first place in our hearts.
Prayer for the day
Lord Jesus, enlighten me to know you as the Lamb of God. I want to understand the price that you paid to bring us salvation. I pray for the grace in my life to help me give you first place in my heart.