The Lamb's Sacrifice: A Foundation of Faith

Reading of the Word

John 1:29 NASB 2020

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Prayer of Illumination

Let your Word, O God, break open our hearts this day through the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may enter into the coming Holy Week ready to meet Jesus as he is, not what we expect him to be. May your Word move and transform us so that we will answer your call to holiness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Introduction

Last week, we went to Calvary and looked at the cross from a few different viewpoints.

Today, we go to the Jordan, where we get a different Gospel with a totally different viewpoint that the others don’t offer.

As we come together in worship today, we are drawn to a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John, a moment that encapsulates the essence of Jesus' earthly ministry and His ultimate purpose. In the words of John the Baptist, recorded in John 1:29, we encounter a profound declaration that echoes through the corridors of time: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" Let us pause to consider the weight and significance of this statement, as we embark on a journey to unpack its deep meaning and relevance for our lives today.

Symbolism and Sacrifice in the Old Testament

The Passover Lamb

Instituted during the plagues that would allow Israel to leave Egypt.

A lamb without spot or blemish was sacrificed and its blood placed on the doorpost.

A way of salvation was provided to avoid the plague of death.

The Scapegoat

The Message of John (ii) Lamb of God (1:29, 36)

The priest laid his hands on the head of the hapless victim transferring the guilt of the people to the animal, and then the creature was released in the wilderness to proclaim the removal of guilt

The Sacrificial System

This system was a temporary measure until the perfect Lamb would come to earth.

Hebrews 10:4 NASB 2020

For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

It was full of laws, ritual, and other things that had to be strictly followed.

2 lambs were offered on the altar at the temple each day. One in morning and other in evening.

It pointed to the permanent plan of salvation.

One Lamb would be sacrificed for all time, meaning it would never have to be repeated.

The nation of Israel had to be the one to act in order for sin to be covered. The new covenant only needed Christ to act for us.

The sacrificial system was set up for Israel. God would send the perfect Lamb to extend the eternal system to the world.

All of this was a bandaid to treat the symptoms of sin. The problem of sin was promised to be dealt with by Jesus.

Beholding Jesus

Jesus walking towards John.

John boldly announced Jesus when he gained the first sight of him.

The excitement for this moment to be reality for John had to be overwhelming.

Divine inspiration allowed John to know who Jesus was.

John spoke about him for a long time.

John even knew in the womb of his mother who Jesus was.

He sensed His presence upon John and knew it was the moment to reveal him to the world.

This was the culmination and completion of John’s ministry.

What John was preaching would be accomplished through Christ.

John’s followers would leave him and follow Jesus.

Beholding Jesus for us.

Some treat Jesus like a leper.

Avoid Him at all cost.

Reject the declaration that reveals who He is.

The Tony Evans Study Bible Chapter 1

For unbelievers, the problem is not that their sin hasn’t been atoned for; the problem is that they are unwilling toreceive the atonement that Jesus has already made

Others behold Jesus for who John declares Him as.

The Lamb of God.

The sacrifice for sin

The Savior of the world

The only way to God

Our King and Lord

We will become what we behold.

Our lives will reflect the world or it will reflect Jesus.

How do you behold Jesus in your life?

It is the most important question you will ever answer.

Redemption, Sacrifice, and Salvation

The Lamb of God

He cannot make any other claim or declare himself by other names until He is declared the Lamb of God.

This word lamb is not the same as the lamb we find in the Old Testament. Only found a few times in NT.

The suffering-servant Lamb who was led to the slaughter

Isaiah 53:7 NASB 2020

He was oppressed and afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.

The victorious, glorified Lamb who lives and reigns and is worthy of praise and adoration.

Revelation 5:11–12 NASB 2020

Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.”

The Lamb of God was the Suffering Sin-Bearer

The sin was placed upon the Lamb of sacrifice.

It is good to note here that Jesus did not become sin. He instead took our sin upon him just as sin.

His Blood was placed upon the doorpost of the cross.

He is the ONLY way to the Father.

He calls himself the door.

John 10:7 NASB 2020

So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

Jesus becomes the new Passover Lamb.

1 Corinthians 5:7 NASB 2020

Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.

The Lamb of God lifted the burden of sin off the transgressor and placed it upon Himself.

Our sin, shame, guilt, punishment, separation from God, condemnation, curse, diseases, anxieties.

Calvary covers it all.

Calvary covers it all My past with its sin and stain My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there And Calvary covers it all

The Message of John (ii) Lamb of God (1:29, 36)

There is no sin too heinous, no wickedness too terrible, no habitual failure too often repeated, that it cannot be ‘taken away’ by Christ, our heavenly Lamb.

Remember though, the devil will always try to bring up the past, telling you that Calvary didn’t cover it all.

When the devil and people bring up your past, tell them that Jesus dropped the charges!

The Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world.

The goal of Jesus was to address the sin of the whole world.

The sacrifice brought upon the sin-shattering result of salvation for all who would believe.

Jesus was God’s Lamb for the world, not just Israel.

He was the offering for sin.

His Blood was offered for the atonement of our sin.

Only the Blood of the spotless Lamb would be sufficient.

1 John 3:5 NASB 2020

You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.

Christ allows us to commemorate and celebrate His sacrifice through the institution of the sacrament of communion.

His broken body

The new covenant in His Blood

His Blood makes it all possible.

He made all things new

Do this in memory of me

Never forget what I did for you because it is the foundation of your faith.

Always hold my death deep in your hearts because it is what will make you a new creation.

Celebrate and rejoice because Jesus used death to conquer all things so that you may have a relationship with Him in this life and the life to come.

To Sum It Up

Jesus is the final price to be paid for our rejoicing. Commemorate and celebrate the salvation we have in Jesus. All praise to the Lamb of God.

Conclusion

This concludes our series entitled “Mourn Again”

I pray it gave you many things to think about through this Lenten Journey

I hope God convicted you of ways that you could draw closer to him

My desire is that when we meet next Sunday, we will celebrate Easter in a new and fresh way that changes us and gives us resurrection hope and joy

Prayer Following Sermon

Gracious God,

As we conclude this sermon, we are reminded of the significance of the beginning of Holy Week and the profound message of the Lamb of God. Thank You for the opportunity to reflect on Your love and sacrifice.

As we enter into this sacred time, may the image of the Lamb of God remain ever-present in our hearts and minds. Help us to internalize the message of His sacrifice and to walk in His footsteps with humility and gratitude.

Guide us, Lord, as we journey through this week, that we may deepen our understanding of Your love and grow closer to You. May the lessons we have learned today inspire us to live as faithful disciples, spreading Your love and light to all.

In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Benediction

As we depart from this Palm Sunday service and embark upon the journey of Holy Week, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.

May the palms we have waved in celebration today remind us of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and may we carry His message of peace, hope, and salvation with us throughout this week and beyond.

As we walk alongside Jesus in His suffering, may we be strengthened in our faith and renewed in our commitment to follow Him faithfully.

May the events of Holy Week deepen our understanding of God's love and inspire us to live as reflections of that love in the world.

Go forth in peace, and may the blessings of Palm Sunday and Holy Week fill your hearts with joy and gratitude. Amen.