Epiphany 2
John 1:29
Behold the Lamb
The next day John saw Jesus
coming toward him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of
the world.” – V.29
Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in
heaven and on earth, mercifully heart the prayers of Your people and grant us
Your peace.
Behold! Standing right in front of you is the Christ.
Bearing. Removing. Eliminating. Eradicating - the sin of the world. He bears
the world’s sin all the way to the cross. He continues to bear that sin. All
the way to the throne of His Father.
Jesus retired into the desert immediately after his baptism
by John. Returning from that desolate place where he would be tempted and tried
John gives us his testimony; “Behold! The Lamb of God!”
The prophets of old had predicted this event centuries before
the Savior arrived. So says the prophet, Isaiah; He was oppressed and he was
afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. Like a lamb that is led to the
slaughter and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent so he opened not
his mouth. – Isaiah 53:7
Jeremiah proclaimed – But I was like a gentle lamb led to
the slaughter. I did not know it was against me they devised schemes against me
saying, ‘Let us destroy the tree with the fruit, let us cut off from the land
of the living that his name be remembered no more.’ - Jeremiah 11:19
1. As the Lamb of God Jesus was prefigured
by those lambs offered up in daily sacrifices.
A. There was a legal obligation for
these sacrifices.
1. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us;
“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” – Hebrews 9:22
2. When Adam and Eve sinned animals were
sacrificed to provide clothing. And
the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. –
Genesis 3:21
3. After the flood receded Noah
sacrificed animals to the LORD. Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and
took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt
offerings on the altar. And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord
said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the
intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again
strike down every living creature as I have done.”– Genesis 8:20-21
4. But these sacrifices – Provided only
a temporary covering of sin. They would foreshadow the perfect and complete sacrifice
of Christ.
B. The Passover would point us to
Christ.
1.
The
LORD instructed every household to select a year-old male lamb without defect.
2.
At
twilight, taking care that none of its bones were broken, blood was applied to
the top and sides of the door frame of the house; thus, making the sign of the
cross.
3.
The
LORD promised that when He saw the Lamb’s blood on the door frame of the house
He would “pass over” that house and not permit “the destroyer” to
enter.
4.
Jesus
is the only one qualified to be called the One “without blemish” because
his life was completely free from sin. “For we do not have a high priest who
is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has
been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews 4:15
Transition: Just as the Passover lambs applied blood caused the destroyer to pass over each household. The applied blood of Christ causes the LORD’s judgment to pass over sinners and give life to believers in Christ. As St. Paul teaches; For wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD. – Romans 6:23
2.
John points us to Jesus the vey Lamb of God.
A. It is offered up by God the Son to
the Father.
1. As the first Passover marked the
Hebrews’ release from Egyptian slavery so the death of Jesus makes your release
from the slavery of sin a reality. – For the law of the Spirit of life as
set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. – Romans 8:2
2. As the first Passover was to be held
in remembrance as an annual feast so Christians are to proclaim the LORD’s
death until he comes in the LORD’s Supper. – “For as often as you eat this
bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the LORD’s death until he comes.” – 1
Corinthians 11:26
B. The Sacrifice of Christ; the Lamb of
God, is for you and for all.
Life
can become difficult. Yet the LORD remembers. He remembers and understands
sacrifice. He would lose his life for a better good.
The Savior
teaches, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself. Take up his
cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24
1. Jesus’ sacrifice shows us grace and
mercy. “But God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 Sin requires justice and wrath because of
our disobedience. The LORD offers grace through the sacrifice of his own Son.
Such is the gift of grace and mercy. We deserve punishment and separation. Yet
the LORD gives forgiveness and life eternal.
2. The sacrifice of Jesus the Lamb of
God covers all sin forever. Securing salvation for anyone who trusts in Jesus.
The writer to the Hebrews explains; “He entered once for all into the holy
places not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood,
thus securing an eternal redemption.” – Hebrews 9:12
3. As the Lamb of God, he lives a life
of humility, “Who, though he was in the form of God did not count equality
with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a
servant being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he
humbled himself by being obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
– Philippians 2:6-8
4. Jesus’ sacrifice pays the price for
your freedom. Every freedom has a price. Jesus paid that price. The sacrifice
of Jesus frees you from the bondage of sin so you can now serve others in love.
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his
life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
Behold! The Lamb! O Christ Thou Lamb of God, who takes away the
sin of the world; have mercy upon us and grant us Thy peace.
Passive Sentences –14.8%
Readability – 77.8%
Reading Level – 5.5
[1]
The Crucifixion; Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright © WELS permission
granted for personal and congregational use
