Lamb of God is a difficult concept for many adults and children. A lamb is an adorable, precious, innocent animal. When we talk about lambs in the Bible, however, we usually see them serving as a sacrifice to take away sin guilt. We’ve seen this in the Passover. We also see it in reference to Jesus and His death.

Today, I’m excited to talk about 9 reasons Jesus is called the Lamb of God, and what that means.

Why is a lamb being killed for sins?

My guess is as good as yours as to why the Lord picked a lamb. Perhaps it’s because they were the closest animal in the time and culture of the Israelites which represented a creature free from blemishes.

Whatever the reason, we see the lamb used throughout God’s Word as a special, dedicated animal.

The first time we see a reference to God providing a lamb for sacrifice is in the Old Testament story of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham walks faith in an unimaginably difficult moment and God provides a ram for the burnt sin offering. God promised a lamb but provided an adult ram. The reason for this seems to be held in the foreshadowing of when he would provide the Lamb as a sin offering.

We see the lamb again in the story of the Passover, when the Israelites are instructed to slaughter a lamb and brush the blood on their doorways. The presence of the blood signaled death to pass over their house. The blood of the lambs saved God’s people.

When we come to the New Testament, Jesus is called the Lamb of God by John the Baptist. In Revelation, there are 9 references to the Lamb – revealing to us Christ in His victory.

Before that, though, we see Christ as the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This symbolism is the key to understanding who He really is and why His death brought salvation to me, you, and anyone who believes. The blood of the Lamb saves all who call on His name.

Lamb of God Definition

Many wonder, what does Lamb of God mean?

Put simply, when the Bible speaks about the Lamb of God, it is referring to Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb who took away the sins of the world by His sacrifice.

Deeper Understanding

When we understand Jesus as the Lamb of God, scripture leaps off the page.

When we experience scripture through more of our senses, we have a deeper understanding of the personal nature of the Gospel. The Word of God becomes more vibrant. We see it in full color instead of black and white.

God’s design for our lives includes much symbolism and many opportunities unite our hearts, minds, spirits, and bodies – ALL of our senses – to the Truth! When we feel the truth of God’s Word to the depths of every part of our being, there’s no denying God as Creator or why His Son came to earth.

He came for you. You are the reason!

You’re the reason Jesus shed his blood on the cross. He submitted to this atrocious act to take away the sin of the world. All of the world’s sin, and all of your sin.

Today, I want us to look at the connection of symbolism and the meaning of the LAMB in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Why is Jesus Called the Lamb of God?

1 – He was born in Bethlehem

The Levites (priests) raised lambs in Bethlehem. They sacrificed lambs in the temple. 

Moreover, they were the shepherds who first visited Jesus when He was born.

The priests received the lambs to be sacrificed. How fascinating that the Levitical priests received the announcement of Christ’s birth first.  Most likely they didn’t realize the great honor the Lord bestowed on them by making them the first to receive the Lamb of God.

Bethlehem is also known as the house of bread. Jesus declared He is the Bread of Life. Only our great God could work out these details of Christ’s birth and life on earth!

2 – John the Baptist

John the Baptist, a priest from the Levitical line, called Jesus the Lamb of God. The priests identified the lambs for sacrifice. John, who had authority through his priestly bloodline, announced Jesus’ identity to the world.

The baptism we see John the Baptist perform in John 1 represented going down and coming up. When this announcement was made at the scene of baptism (John 1:29), the people received this word much differently than we do. His calling Jesus the Lamb of God was infused with symbolism, including, but not limited to:

• lambs as symbols of sacrifice for sin and peace offerings (Leviticus 23:19)
• the messianic lamb would be led to slaughter (Isaiah 53)
• the connection to the Passover Lamb in Exodus
• the images of deliverance from bondage

3 – He fulfilled the story of Abraham and Isaac

• Abraham took a donkey with two men. Two disciples went to get the donkey for Jesus when He entered Jerusalem before His crucifixion.
• Abraham took his son (his firstborn and only son of Sarah). When Isaac asked where the sacrificial lamb was, Abraham answered that God would provide. God provided His own Son as the sacrificial lamb to stand in the place of each of us.
• Isaac carried the wood on his back to be led to the slaughter. Jesus carried the cross on his back to his own crucifixion.
• God knew Abraham’s heart was pure. God intervened and provided a ram. (Fun fact: A sheep is considered a lamb for its first year. A female lamb becomes a ewe and a male lamb becomes a ram.) In Jesus, God delivered His Son as the Lamb of the final offering for sin.
• Abraham offered his son on Mount Moriah. Jesus was offered up on the same mount.

4 – Jerusalem

All lambs had to be brought to Jerusalem (from where they were raised in Bethlehem) and be offered to the high priest. Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey and went to the temple. He cleansed it to prepare for a true, pure, perfect sacrifice.

5 – The Passover Lamb

The father of the family chooses the lamb at Passover. Furthermore, our Father chose Jesus… The Lamb of God.

The Passover instructions declare 1 lamb per family. All who are in Christ, are 1 family.

6 – 4 days

It takes 4 days to inspect the Passover lamb. In the same way, the people of Jerusalem tested, quizzed, and challenged Jesus for 4 days. These people include the high priest, Sanhedrin, Pharisees, Sadducees, and others.

7 – Spotless

Jesus was without spot or blemish. Spotless means pure and blameless. Physically, we see it as without sickness, disease, or skin spots. His skin was clean and clear from any disease of blemishes. Spiritually, it means without blame, and harmless. He didn’t harm anyone and always spoke God’s Word.

8 – The times of sacrifice

The sacrifices occurred in the morning and evening. These times coincide with our clocks at the times of 9 am and 3 pm. By 3 pm, the Passover lambs were killed. (Remember, 1 lamb per family, so there was a lot of sacrificing going on.)

Jesus was placed on the cross at 9 am, the time of the morning sacrifice. He died at the time of the evening sacrifice. The sun was covered from noon until 3 pm, then He died. (See Mark 15 & Matthew 27)

Jesus fulfilled every instruction from Exodus 12. Every one!

9 – One-year-old lamb

A lamb was considered in the prime of its life. Jesus, at age 33 and only 3 years into his ministry, was considered in the prime of His life.

Conclusion

So much of scripture testifies to Jesus being the sacrificial Lamb of God! There’s more than I have time to cover in this post.

I hope the main point is clear: Jesus was the perfect, unblemished Lamb of God who took away our sins for eternity. We can either live in the gift of salvation or we can live without it.

It’s your choice!

Have you recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God? Have you received Him as such through repenting from your sin and placing your faith in Him?

He is the ultimate Lamb of God. The final sacrifice. We don’t need another lamb.

Jesus is THE LAMB of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

I hope these nuggets of truth blessed you and helped you grow in your understanding and relationship with the Lord. I’d love to hear how you’re celebrating the Lamb of God on the day we rejoice in His resurrection!