Experiencing Jesus: Behold the Lamb of God

“Behold the Lamb of God” used twice in the fourth Gospel ‘John’ in vs. 29 and 36. The Baptist used the term unequivocally to point to Jesus as the one that is the Lamb provided by God for his people. He himself from the priestly line; the Baptist John knows how important sacrifice is in the Jewish religious ceremony. Some of his disciples understood immediately that their master was constantly pointing toward someone who is greater and mightier than himself. His anticipation for the coming Messiah would take away the sin of the world. His two disciples named Andrew and an unnamed disciple, most possibly the writer of the fourth gospel, John followed Jesus only after the baptist’s second time proclamation. This can be credited to their attentiveness to their master’s teaching and their own carefulness in decision making. “It is merely a sign that they were being true to the teaching of the forerunner who raised the voice in the desert and paved way for the one who was about to come.”

Four possible hints the expression might have meant to his Jewish followers/people:

1. the Lamb provided to Abraham by God and sacrificed to set his son Isaac free (Genesis 22) – Substitute offering
2. the Passover Lamb sacrificed in the temple so Israel could be set free from slavery (Exodus 12:11-13) – Atoning work
3. the lambs sacrificed in the temple morning and evening for the forgiveness of Israel’s sin (Leviticus 14; Numbers 6; Exodus 29:38-42) – Guilt Offering
4. the Lamb Isaiah describes in 53 that was to carry the punishment of sinners (Jeremiah 11:19)

Jesus is the only basis for the divine forgiveness of their sin

1 Peter 1:18-21

Romans 8:3; Hebrews 10