The Lamb of God

   John the Baptist had been preaching with fire and passion in anticipation of the emergence of the Messiah.  When the Christ appeared in public to begin His ministry and John saw Him walking toward him, the prophet announced, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

   It would have been accurate for John to say, “Behold the Lion of Judah who has come to lead the people of God to victory.”  He could have shouted, “Behold the Son of David, the King of Israel who has come to rule the nations.”  Yet, he didn’t.  Instead John proclaimed the plan for Christ to come and offer His earthly body as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.  What would be His greatest deed, the greatest manifestation of His identity? His greatest hour was His shameful death as a condemned criminal on the cross.

   All the Old Testament sacrifices make sense now.  They were shadows of the one great event when the Son of God would walk to Calvary as a lamb led to the slaughter and humbly submit to death so that men might live.

   “Behold the Lamb of God”—Fall down before this unselfish King and give Him your praise, your love, and your life (Revelation 5:6-9.

– Source unknown; via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur church of Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and editor, may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com