Why Christ is Called The Lamb of God

This is an easy matter to answer. All we need to do is read John 1:29 (BBE) which reads, "The day after, John sees Jesus coming to him and says, 'See, here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'"

But what does that mean? It's a reference to sacrificial lambs which were slaughtered each Passover. The first such Passover was recorded in Exodus 12:3 and 4 (BBE). "Say to all the children of Israel when they are come together, In the tenth day of this month every man is to take a lamb, by the number of their fathers' families, a lamb for every family: And if the lamb is more than enough for the family, let that family and its nearest neighbour have a lamb between them, taking into account the number of persons and how much food is needed for every man."

After explaining when and how to kill and cook the lamb, God explained why blood had to be smeared on the door posts of each Israelite house in Exodus 12:12 and 13 (BBE). "For on that night I will go through the land of Egypt, sending death on every first male child, of man and of beast, and judging all the gods of Egypt: I am the Lord. And the blood will be a sign on the houses where you are: when I see the blood I will go over you, and no evil will come on you for your destruction, when my hand is on the land of Egypt."

So, what does this have to do with Christ's death and us today? Luke 22:19 and 20 (BBE) gives us the answer when Christ instituted God's new covenant. "And he took bread and, having given praise, he gave it to them when it had been broken, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you: do this in memory of me.' And in the same way, after the meal, he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new testament, made with my blood which is given for you.'"

We also read of the messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53:7 (BBE) which likens Christ as a sacrificial lamb. "Men were cruel to him, but he was gentle and quiet; as a lamb taken to its death, and as a sheep before those who take her wool makes no sound, so he said not a word."

Since we can't earn God's forgiveness, only the sinless one could atone for our wickedness. This is what I'll emphasize in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven?On Saturday, unless the Lord returns first, I hope to post about a song regarding an unfortunate truck driver.