Devotional

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 (ESV)‍

John the Baptist was Jesus’ crazy-eyed, grasshopper-and-honey-eating cousin. He was sent to prepare the way for the coming King and his Kingdom. He did this by telling all people to repent and “behold the Lamb of God.” This would ultimately lead to John’s execution. Why would a bold and outspoken man like John refer to Jesus as a lamb? Lambs are not known for their strength, courage, intelligence, or ability. On the contrary, they are weak, needy, unintelligent creatures who have a knack forgetting themselves into bad situations. In what sense is Jesus a lamb, and why should we behold him?

In his mercy and grace, God allowed for a sacrificial lamb to serve as a substitute for the people.

We must first understand the old covenant sacrificial system to understand and appreciate the beauty and glory of whatJohn is saying. After the Exodus from Egypt, God made a covenant with his people at Sinai. Through the temple, God would dwell with his people (Exodus29:45). But there was a problem. God is holy, and his people were sinners. For his people to draw near to him, their sins needed to be dealt with. God’s solution to this problem was the sacrificial system. In his mercy and grace, God allowed for a sacrificial lamb to serve as a substitute for the people.Though they deserved death, a perfect lamb would die in their place. This occurred annually on the Day of Atonement.

He was declaring that Jesus is the only one who can truly take away our sins for us.

The old covenant sacrificial lambs could reveal sin and remind the people of their need for grace, but they could never actually atone for sin (Hebrews 10:1-3). They were shadows of the one to come, the true Lamb of God who would take away our sin once and for all. When John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, he was telling us that the true lamb had finally come. He was declaring that Jesus is the only one who can truly take away our sins for us. Because of our sin, we deserve death, but Christ took our place on the cross and died for our sins.

Are you struggling with sin? Are you weighed down with guilt? Are you plagued by regret over past moral failures? Do you wonder how God could ever love you or forgive you? Are you exhausted from trying to earn God’s favor and approval? Then know this: Jesus is your Lamb. He died for you on the cross. Through his sacrificial death on your behalf, you have been set free from the guilt of sin. Because Christ was crucified, you are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). Leave your sin behind. Behold, Christ yourLamb!

Liturgy

Sovereign Lord and conquering Lamb,

Our sins have piled up.
They are numerous, too many to count.

We have done what is forbidden and have neglected to do that which is commanded.
In our sin, we stand before you, guilty and condemned.

Your holy Law has silenced us.
We have no answer, no excuse, no explanation.

But you, Christ, are the Father’s divine Word of grace and forgiveness.
You are God’s answer to our problem.

You did not go to the cross in spite of our sin but because of it.
When we were without hope, you came for us.

You have suffered in our place, paying the price for our sins.
You were sacrificed so that we might be saved.

You and you alone are our Lamb.
Your atoning blood has cleansed us and set us free.

Thank you for the gift of salvation.
Thank you for forgiving our sin and making us new.
Give us the grace to hate our sin and behold you with all our strength.‍

‍In Christ’s name, Amen.