THE LAMB OF GOD
Part 1


A. "BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD" - John 1:29
  1. The word BEHOLD signifies:
    1. To call attention to a great truth - Luke 24:39; John 1:47
    2. To direct attention to a great event - Matt. 21:5; Rev. 22:7
    3. To point to a great sacrifice - John 3:16; 1 John 3:1-3
    4. To the outstanding Manhood of the Son of man - John 19:5
  2. By the word BEHOLD, attention is called to:
    1. A truth of great moment for all, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world."
    2. The attention of the Jewish nation was directed to the true object of the sacrificial services, which were but a type of the infinite sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
B. "BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD"
  1. That expression is found a number of times in the Bible:
    1. It dramatizes the lamb-like attitude of the Son of man during his great suffering and death on Calvary - Isa. 53:7; Acts 8:32
    2. A lamb suffers in absolute silence. "It opened not its mouth", so the Son of God suffered in absolute submission to the will of his Father.
    3. A lamb was offered by the Israelites to commemorate their deliverance from Egyptian bondage - Ex. 12:4, 5; so Christ, our passover Lamb, died for us to deliver us from the bondage of sin - 1 Cor. 5:7
  2. The lamb offered by the Israelites:
    1. Had to be blameless - Ex. 12:5; Mal. 1:8
    2. To typify the blameless Lamb of God - 1 Pet. 2:22
    3. There was no sin in him - 1 John 3:5
    4. He reflected the image and character of his Father - John 14:9; Heb. 1:3
  3. The Lamb of God:
    1. Up to that point all lambs had been the gifts of men.
    2. But this Lamb is different -- it is the gift of God - John 3:16
    3. This reminds us of the words of Abraham to his son Isaac, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering" - Gen. 22:8
  4. The Lamb of God:
    1. Was God's own choice and His own gift.
    2. Said the Son of God, "Sacrifice and offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me" - Ps. 40:6-8
    3. The Lamb of God is the only means to atone for sin - Heb. 9:22, 23
    4. Christ was not only the greatest gift God gave to save us; but actually He was a part of God Himself - Rom. 8:31-33; 2 Cor. 5:18-21
    5. But there is still another truth to bring to mind. When we have to suffer we shall manifest the lamb- like attitude that the Lamb of God manifested.
C. "BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD"
  1. This is the height and the depth of the meaning of our opening text:
    1. To take away our sins - can we fathom this glorious gospel truth?
    2. Has the burden of your sins been lifted away by the cross of Calvary? - 1 Pet. 2:24
    3. God actually laid our sins upon the Lamb of God!
    4. But keep in mind that only the sins that are confessed are included. All unconfessed sins remain upon the transgressor - John 9:41
  2. Has the heavenly gift made any difference in your:
    1. Thinking about the plan of salvation?
    2. Has it affected your life? If not, why not?


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