THE LAMB OF GOD (Agnus Dei)

 

In the Bible, Jesus as the Lamb of God (Latin, Agnus Dei) is one of the most celebrated descriptions of Christ, for it reveals so much about Him as our Savior.

𝗟𝗔𝗠𝗕 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

In ancient times, the lamb was indispensable in Israel’s offerings. Priests offered it twice a day (Exodus 29:38–42). On the Sabbath, the number of young lambs doubled (Numbers 28:9). At the start of every month, more lambs were sacrificed (28:11). They were also offered during the entire Passover week (28:16, 19), and in other festivals (28:26–27; 29:1–2, 7–8, etc.). The lamb to be offered had to be perfect and without defect (Leviticus 22:24–25). Since the lamb was consistently sacrificed as a victim, it came to symbolize innocence. That’s why the prophet Nathan used the parable of the ewe lamb in 2 Samuel 12:1–4 to convict David of his sin. Likewise, Isaiah portrayed the lamb as a picture of the Suffering Servant of the Lord—a prophecy pointing to the coming Messiah (Isaiah 53:7). The meat of a lamb was considered a delicacy in ancient Israel, served on special occasions (Deuteronomy 32:14; 2 Samuel 12:3–6; Amos 6:4). Since sheep were far more valuable alive, they were not eaten as part of the regular diet, especially lambs.

𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗚𝗡𝗨𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗜

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦

The image of the lamb is a perfect description of Jesus as the sacrifice, since it was central to the Jewish sacrificial system. Just as lambs were continually offered under the old covenant, Jesus, the Lamb of God, was sufficient to fulfill all the requirements of the Law (Matthew 5:17). The writer of Hebrews affirms that Christ’s sacrifice was once for all, because His death was enough for everyone—no further sacrifices are needed (Hebrews 7:27; 10:11–14).

John the Baptist declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). On the Day of Atonement, the Lord commanded that the scapegoat carry away the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:10, 20–22). Symbolically, the high priest transferred the community’s sins onto the goat before releasing it into the wilderness. By calling Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the world’s sins, John revealed that Christ is the ultimate sacrifice. As He paid for sin, He also removed it completely.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘚𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦

Just as only spotless lambs were acceptable for sacrifice, Jesus was blameless (1 Peter 1:19). The innocent One died for us—the guilty. In other words, He died in our place (1 Peter 3:18). Christ’s sinless life qualified Him as the perfect sacrifice so sinners could be saved.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦

At the first Passover, the Hebrews placed the blood of lambs on their wooden doorposts and ate the lamb’s meat (Exodus 12:7). During Passover week at the crucifixion, the blood of Jesus was also shed on a wooden cross. The night before His death, He commanded His disciples to eat His body (1 Corinthians 11:24). Indeed, He is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Moreover, describing Christ as the Lamb of God clearly identifies Him as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:4–7).

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘚𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus is portrayed as the Lamb of God who was slain (Revelation 5:6, 12; 13:8). Through His blood comes redemption (7:14; 12:11). The apostle John also presents Christ as the glorified and victorious Lamb (5:8, 12–13; 7:9, etc.). “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12). Stay Curious.