Jesus: The Lamb of God-2

Text: John 1:29, 36

Last week, as a part of exploring what it means to pray in the Name of Jesus, we began to think about a theology of Jesus as the Lamb of God.

Because when we pray in the Name of Jesus, we not only pray through His authority.

But we also pray according to His nature.

In accordance with the promises of scriptures, promises that Jesus Himself made, we strongly believe in praying according to the authority and nature of Jesus.

We looked at what John the Baptist said in:

John 1:29 (NASB95) The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:35–37 (NASB95) Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

We wondered what picture the Holy Spirit was putting in his mind.

Last week we considered that he could have had the incident of Abraham being told by God to offer up his miracle-son Isaac as a sacrifice.

But then God stopped Abraham and provided His own sacrifice — a ram caught in the thicket.

But maybe John had in mind the Exodus of God’s people where God told Moses and Aaron in:

Exodus 12:3-13

Was he thinking about the pre-figuring of who Messiah was and what He would do as the Lamb as revealed in Genesis and Exodus?

When we examine this passage we hear God telling Israel through Moses and Aaron:

Vs. 3 Take a lamb for yourselves.

As we saw with Abraham last week, God provides the Lamb.

In the case of salvation for all humanity — God provided Jesus — Behold the Lamb of God!

As we remember the very familiar verse:

John 3:16 (NASB95) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

So, let us take the Lamb that the Lord has provided.

Vs. 6 Then we see that Israel was to kill the Lamb at twilight on the 14 day of the month.

That is when Jesus, the Lamb of God was slain:

Mark 15:42–45 (NASB95) When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. 45 And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

Jesus died at the end of the day and afterwards Joseph was able to bury Jesus’ b ody in his own tomb.

Vs. 7 Apply the blood

In order to experience the salvation of God, we must have the Blood applied to our lives.

To the doorposts and the lintel.

What are the doors of our lives?

Our eyes?

Our ears.

Our sense of touch?

All of these need to be anointed with the Blood of Jesus to keep the death angel from coming into our lives.

Exodus 12:21–23 (NASB95) Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb. 22 “You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning. 23 “For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.

Vs. 8 We not only need to anoint our houses with the blood of the Lamb, we need to consume the Lamb.

Too many who would follow Jesus want only a superficial relationship with Jesus.

But that is not what Father wants — He wants us to eat and eat — with no leftovers.

May we not be satisfied with just a taste of Jesus, let’s desire all of Him.

Finally in Vs. 11 As we consume the Lamb of God given to us by the Father, let us do so being prepared for OUR exodus.

Hebrews 9:27–28 (NASB95) And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Micah 7:7 (NASB95) But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

As Jesus warned in Luke 21:34–36 (NASB95) “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Tonight in our time of gathered prayer, let us pray:

That others will “take the Lamb” that God has given and not reject the ONLY means of salvation.

Let us remember that always keeps His word — He did it with the death of Jesus on the 14th day at twilight — He will keep every promise He gives to us.

Let us pray that the Blood of Jesus be applied to the doors of our lives so that we may be a holy people.

Let us pray that Father God will give us an appetite to consume ALL of Jesus — nothing left over.

Finally, in these closing moments of time, let us partake of the Lord ready to go.

Watching and working for Jesus.