Behold The Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sin…
By Pastor David Kuntz 

In the beginning of John’s Gospel is a life-changing verse:  “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’”  (John 1:29).  This beautiful verse contains three theological truths.  The first truth I’d like to observe is “The Look.”  John the Baptist looks and sees someone approaching him.  When he realizes who this person is he commands all eyes to behold Him.  When a person looks upon Jesus Christ in the word of God, he will be convicted of his utter sinfulness. 

The second truth I’d like to note is “The Lamb.”  John the Baptist invited his audience to behold the Lamb of God.  He used a very specific word for lamb.  In the New Testament there are three different words used for a lamb.  One refers to a one-year old sheep, another refers to a small sheep and the last refers to a full-grown sheep.  John the Baptist used the word “lamb” that described the youngest of the three groups.  He may have done this to emphasize the fact Jesus was innocent and did not deserve to die.  John was no doubt well schooled in the Old Testament for he was the son of a priest.  He used the definite article “the” to identify the long expected lamb.  He knew that the Messiah would be “brought as a lamb before the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7).  John understood that Jesus was the only true sacrifice, which could save man from the judgment of God.  This Lamb would put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

The third point I’d like to point out is “The Love” in John 1:29.  The love of Jesus Christ is seen in the fact that He takes away the sin of the world through His death.  Jesus Christ the innocent Lamb became sin for us.  John understood that none of the lambs being sacrificed could remove man’s sin. They could only temporarily cover the sins of man.  Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was definitely the greatest act of love ever manifested on this earth. His death secured the salvation of all the sinners who look to the Lamb! 

If you never looked to Jesus will you O sinner lift up your eyes and gaze upon Calvary where that innocent lamb was slain?  It was at Calvary where Jesus proved His love for you.  The Lamb of God died so that we might have eternal life.  There must be a turning from sin and faith in Jesus Christ before the blood of the Lamb can be applied to your soul.   His sacrifice nullified the sacrifices of all those little lambs forever.  Christ died to do away with our sins forever.  There is no limit to the sins in which His blood can cover.  Look to the Lamb of God and see His great Love!  What a precious steadfast look John took that day upon Christ.  We would do well to also take frequent trips back to the cross of Calvary.  When we do so it can only increase our love and devotion for the one who redeemed us.  Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!