Why Is Jesus Called the 'Lamb Of God?'

Why Is Jesus Called the 'Lamb Of God?'

written by Michael Lane

[source: Delve Into Jesus Ministries]

There are several passages in the Bible where Jesus is referred to as a lamb, or the lamb of God. Peter calls Jesus, "a lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:19) and Paul calls Jesus the "Passover Lamb who has been sacrified" (1 Corinthians 5:7). When John the Baptist sees Jesus walking toward him for the first time, he exclaims, "Look, the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36). Throughout much of the book of Revelation, Jesus is referred to as a lamb. Angels proclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5:12)

According to the law of Moses, the Jewish people offered animal sacrifices to God to attone for their sins. This was a temporary solution for the problem of sin, and sacrifices needed to be offered periodically to keep Jews in a right standing before God. One of the animals commonly sacrificed was a lamb. When Jesus was killed on the cross, He became the final and ultimate atonement sacrifice. For those who place their faith in Christ, his sacrifice covers all their sin and no other sacrifice to God is necessary. In this way, Christ was the sacrificial "lamb" who laid down his life for us.

Christ's role as the lamb of God was predicted by the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before He came to offer His life. In chapter 53 verses 6-7, Isaiah writes:

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted,

yet he did not open his mouth;

he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.