The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29 NIV).

I will never forget the night I trusted Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I walked into a church one person, and walked out a completely different one. When I entered the church, it was as though I was carrying an extremely heavy weight on my shoulders. It was the burden of guilt that had its roots in a heart filled with sin. But when Christ came into my life, the burden fell away. It was many years before I was able to understand what had transpired that life-changing night. The Lamb of God had taken away my sin.

When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he cried out, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29 NIV).

In the Jewish culture of that day, everyone could easily understand what John was saying. There was no need for commentary. Every morning and evening, a lamb was slain and sacrificed for the sins of the people. When John referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God, he was speaking of the holiness and love of God. Both were primary characteristics of Jesus.

Jesus was God's sacrifice. He was the lamb provided by God to remove the sins of all who would believe on Him. It's in this name ascribed to Jesus that we discover the wonderful mystery of the nature of Christ. He was all God, and yet all man. He was the God-man. Matthew reveals Jesus as the King, while Mark describes him as the Servant. In fact, Jesus was the King who became a Servant. John's gospel depicts Jesus as the Son of God while Luke's gospel shows him as the Son of Man. He was God who became man.

God is holy, and anything or anyone unholy can't come into His presence. He's absolute purity. Sin separated us from the absolutely holy God. His holiness and justice demands that a sacrifice be made for our sins. That's why the Jewish people had to offer daily sacrifices. But God, in His infinite love, gave of Himself in order that our sins -- once and for all -- could be forgiven and removed from our hearts and lives.

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin woman. Therefore, His life is the most unique to ever be found on this planet. He was truly the "Son of God" and the "Son of Man." There's never been a person on this Earth like Jesus, the God-man. In His divinity, He displayed the nature and character of God. In His humanity, He taught us how to live. Thus, He was and is the mediator between God and man. It was only Jesus in His humanity who was worthy enough to die for the sins of the world.

Jesus was the sacrifice for our sins. He was called "the Lamb of God." This name given to Jesus by John the Baptist gives us a glimpse into the meaning of the life of Jesus. Jesus came into the world for one reason - to die for our sins. He took the punishment we all deserve. He's God's provision for our sins. He's the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. He's almighty God clothed with humility, meekness and purity. He's the holy One of Israel. He's our mediator between God and man.

The Bible speaks of the Lamb on His throne. One great day multitudes from every nation, tribe and people group will bow before the Lamb and worship Him. John described that great day in his revelation in which he wrote, "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb" (Rev. 7:9, 10 NIV).

Oh what a wonderful day that will be. When you understand who Jesus is - the Lamb of God -- your heart will leap for joy. He's the One who takes away our sin. He's the One who offered His life for us. He's almighty God who takes away the sins of the world. Hallelujah! We don't have to wait until we get to heaven to worship the Lamb. We can worship Him today. Why don't you spend some time today before the throne of God and before the Lamb telling Him how much you love Him.

Sammy Tippit
http://www.sammytippit.org.

                     All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission of author