13. Jesus the Lamb of God
13. Jesus the Lamb of God
[John 1:29]
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
There is a constant thread that weaves the story of God and man together. It starts in Exodus 12, weaves through the gospels and ties together in the book of Revelation. The thread is, Jesus is the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. So let’s pick up the story here in the book of John and know why the lamb of God is so important to us.
Jesus shows up on the scene to be baptized by John and he declares Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Because God, told him that He, whom the spirit of God descends on like a dove is He. John goes on and on about how he’s nothing and Jesus is everything. He turns all the attention onto the Lamb of God. What was the significance of the lamb 2000 years ago, to the Jews and why is He, the lamb of God still significant to us today?
The story begins in the Book of [Exodus 12:3-14] where God is breaking the stronghold of slavery that Pharaoh had over his people, the nation of Israel. God was going to kill the first born in every household in Egypt except those that had the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of their homes. Here is the first picture of why the Lamb of God was so significant to the Nation of Israel and to us.
“Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats…the whole assembly shall kill the lamb…They shall take some of the blood and put it on the doorposts of their homes”. [Exodus 12:5-7]
A perfect lamb, sacrificed to cover the families who eat it and whose blood covers the doorposts of their homes. Jesus is that perfect lamb that was slaughtered to cover the sins of the people whom his blood covers their lives.
“For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast…I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” [Exodus 12:12-13]
For it is by the blood of the lamb that the families where saved from death in Egypt 2000 years ago and it is by the blood of the lamb today that we are spared from eternal condemnation and separation today. The book of revelation gives us more understanding about the role of the lamb of God in the present and future
Read the Bible verses about the lamb from Revelation and answer the questions below in your journal.
“I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
[Revelation 7:14]
“And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals… I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain….”
Revelation 5:5-6
“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb……But nothing unclean will ever enter it (the city of God) nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” [Revelation 21:22-23, 27]
Scripture Reference:
Discussion Questions:
- Why is the lamb of God important to you?
- Why is the blood of the lamb so important.
- And how does the blood wash things white as snow? [Revelations 7:14]
- Do you think the picture of the lamb that was slain in [Revelation 5:5,6] is just another way to see Jesus crucified on the cross. What are the parallels between the two stories.
- What does it mean that the lamb of God is both the temple of the new future city and the light of the city. [Revelations 21:22-23]
- What is the lambs book of life and what do you have to do to get your name written in the lambs book of life
Assignment:
Write your story!
Revelation 12:10-11 ESV
This scripture tells us why our stories are so important. Our stories, with the blood of the lamb conquer Satan, give us victory and lead other people to Jesus. Read the scripture below about our stories and take some time to reflect on where you met Jesus, what your life looked like before Jesus and what your life looks like now. If you don’t know if you have met Jesus just tell us your story of what you have been through and where you are today.
“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”