The Lamb Of God

• How would you describe a lamb?

• Why is Jesus’ sacrifice once and for all, instead of temporary, like the Old Testament sacrifices?

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Revelation 21:22

The idea of the Messiah being the Lamb of God goes way back to before Jesus was born. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah said, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; 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). Like a lamb, Jesus appears meek, humble and willing to submit to God’s will. But in order to fully understand why Jesus is called a lamb, we need to look at the way things were in Old Testament times.

Before the Savior came, people had to atone for their sins by making sacrifices, usually using animals. Not just any animal would do for a sacrifice, though. It had to be a male without defect (see Leviticus 1:3), the firstborn of the flock or herd (see Numbers 18:15) and without any broken bones (see Exodus 12:46).

Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, fits all those descriptions. He is male, without defect (or sin) and the firstborn of God. And even though he was crucified, none of his bones were broken (see John 19:36). He is the Lamb of God, and his sacrifice makes it possible for us to live forever.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for humbling yourself to become the sacrificial Lamb for us. You are perfect. No other sacrifice can save us. We will praise you forever. Amen.