A tourist visited a church in Germany and was surprised to see the carved figure of a lamb near the top of the church’s tower. He asked why it was there and was told that when the church was being built, a workman fell from a high scaffold. His co-workers rushed down, expecting to find him dead. But to their surprise and joy, he was alive and only slightly injured.
How did he survive? A flock of sheep was passing beneath the tower scaffold at the time, and the worker landed on top of a lamb. The lamb broke his fall and was crushed to death, but the man was saved. To commemorate that miraculous escape, someone carved a lamb on the tower at the exact height from which the workman fell.
The source of that story is unknown, and, whether it is simply legend or truth, it still bears out one fact: we need a lamb for our survival. WE NEED A LAMB! 1) who is named by God, 2) to snatch away our sins, and also 3) to redirect lives.
1) Named by God
John the Baptist was the first to call Jesus the “lamb of God.” That was a title. Titles are symbols of prestige. For example, not every one can bear the title “Doctor.” That’s a privilege. A title also describes an individual for good or bad.
There’s talk of the Charlotte Hornets coming to New Orleans. The whole deal is still up in the air, but people are talking about the prospect. They’re hopeful the team will come. One of the big topics of discussion is what the team will name itself if it comes. All sort of suggestions have been made from the New Orleans Shrimp to reclaiming the name Jazz. Now, imagine if the team came to our state and chose a lamb for its mascot -- just picture the New Orleans Lambs –why, they’d probably be the laughing stock of the entire NBA.
After all, lambs are helpless creatures. They’re born virtually defenseless. Lambs also tend to be awkward and clumsy. They seem to have a knack for getting into trouble. Why in the world would John refer to Jesus as the Lamb of God? Could it be that he was implying that Jesus was weak or unimpressive? No. The opposite is true. This was actually a prestigious title, which John the Baptist had given. To appreciate the significance means we must understand how the Jewish people perceived a lamb.
God had given the lamb a special place in the mind of all Israelites. For the Jews the lamb carried religious connotations. The lamb was one of the animals used to symbolize the forgiveness of sins; that God would make atonement with all people, setting the world “at-one” with him.
Already, in the Old Testament, the lamb carried this special meaning. Lambs played an important part in the Passover meal, commemorating how God delivered Israel from Egypt and from death. In fact, the word “lamb” became synonymous with the Savior. Isaiah uses the word in his prophecy concerning the Messiah: “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7).
God promised he would send one who would come to be our Savior, to carry our sins for us. And one day while on the bank of the Jordan River, John saw that one who was revealed to him by God. He saw Jesus, and he gave him the title, “Lamb of God.” John knew that this was God’s Lamb; this was his sacrifice for us. That’s a prestigious title no one else could dare hold.
In a culture that sacrificed lambs twice a day in the temple, Johns’ words were a kiss of death. "Here is the Lamb of God" also means, "Look, everyone, here’s the one that is going to be sacrificed." Suddenly, the title might not seem all that prestigious. Yet, as we understand the work of the Lamb of God, we see that this name is prestigious it is honorable. John says that this lamb, Jesus, is the one who takes away the sins of the world. Do you understand the all-important work this Lamb accomplishes? He takes away the sins of the whole world! Literally, he rips us off. He actually steals away our collective and individual sins, prying them from us.
2) To Snatch Away Our Sins
I remember when my parent’s home was robbed. It was in broad daylight when no one was home. My parents were at work and I was away at college. Two punks broke a window in the back door unlocked the deadbolt, and helped themselves to the house; even making a sandwich and leaving the mess on the counter.
I also recall my initial feelings when I heard about the incident. I was angry. My whole family felt afraid and violated. Our privacy was invaded, and that eerie feeling loomed over us for some time.
We feel the same way about our sins. “This is my business”, we shout, as we hoard away our sins, locking them up in our hearts and minds. We hold all sorts of sin in our hearts and minds – greed, lust, hatred, jealousy, lack of self-control – the list goes on.
As it is, we are born into this world intent on keeping hold of our trespasses and sins. This sinful flesh wants nothing more than to hold on to its decrepit nature. Our hearts want nothing more than to wallow in lust, envy, and greed. Our minds desire nothing more than violence and hatred towards God and one another. We don’t want to let go of a single one. We treat our sins as if they’re our prized possessions. We’re not willing to hand them over to Jesus. After all, it’s a matter of privacy! How dare God violate us and take away the things we love! And so, Jesus, the Lamb of God – the perfect sacrifice – must come to us and snatch our sins away. He breaks into our hearts and minds and steals away all sin and unbelief.
This is how it must be! Christ Jesus must come and rip us off! He has to snatch our sins from us. Just think of how Jesus does this. He doesn’t crush or break us. He doesn’t smash his way into our lives. Jesus snatched our sins from us by sacrificing himself for us. He came into this world to suffer and die on the cross, so that we wouldn’t have to face punishment. Jesus bore the wrath of his heavenly Father in our place. And in doing so, he paid the price for every last one of our sins. He snatched them from us by labeling himself as “Sinner of sinners”, and allowing himself to be nailed to the cross with our all our transgressions. Then he rose from the dead proving that our sins are dead. They no longer count. The price has been paid.
3) To Redirect Our Lives.
The wonderful thing is that we have God’s Word to remind us of this truth! John’s words – “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” – are a source of comfort and joy. They redirect us. Jesus’ work of redemption provided for the needs of the entire world. And you can say with all confidence that your sins are forgiven. Do you see how this redirects your life? God’s grace in Christ directs us away from despair. Whenever you find yourself directed to despair over your sins, don’t. If you find yourself asking, “How can I forgiven?” direct yourself to the cross and see that Jesus has won salvation for you. He snatched your sins from you and directs you away from all despair and into the open arms of your Heavenly Father.
God has given us his Word on this matter so that we might believe and have hope. His Word is what leads us to faith to believe this blessed truth. And with faith in Christ our Savior, we can live confidently in forgiveness. Our lives are redirected.
The sad fact is that many people still God, they pray like mad, they study the Word, but still wonder why they aren’t closer to God. The reason is that they have not been redirected. Many people allow their sins to direct and guide them. We allow our sins to direct us away from faith in Christ. Our goals become misguided. Sin clouds us to look to ourselves.
What are some of our misguided goals? Where our culture says, “Seek your place in the world!” our God says, “Seek the kingdom of God.” Where our culture bids us to “find yourself!” God calls us to “lose ourselves, and then find life.” Where our culture calls us to “be a self-made person!” God calls us to become “members together of one body...”. Where our culture teaches us to “look to your own needs and interests!” God calls us to have “the attitude of Christ Jesus, who took on the nature of a servant.” Where our culture promises, “You can have it all!” God calls us to “consider it rubbish, that we might gain Christ.” Where our culture mandates, “Be at the top of your game!” God calls us to “be crucified with Christ.”
When we perceive our existence as God’s work--rather than our own work--we free ourselves from the barrage of self-centered ambition and find our ultimate purpose in life. We’re redirected. But how does this happen? It happens when the Holy Spirit leads us to trust in Christ and not in ourselves. It’s called faith. Realize you have a Savior who has freed you from God’s wrath. The Bible tells you so.
The Word of God is like a road map. It gives us the information we need in order to know we are on the right path. It directs and guides us. The Bible shows us that, without God, we are lost. God is serious about sin. Dishonesty, pride, and selfishness are offensive to God. So are, disrespect, sexual perversion, and everything else that God’s law condemns. Without God we are lost. But thanks to God! Jesus saved us! He took the punishment for our sins in our place. God redirects us by directing us to his Son. He shows us that we have a Savior from sin who directed us onto the path to heaven. Behold! It’s the Lamb of God who accomplishes this for us. Amen.
