Jesus as the Lamb of God | Meaning and Significance

Have you been trying to understand the meaning of the Lamb of God? Why is Jesus called the Lamb of God and how does its significance affect our lives?

What do you think of when asked, “What is the meaning of the Lamb of God?” What comes to mind? Most likely, a lot of us would envision images of Jesus Christ. The phrase is used throughout the Bible and refers to Him specifically. But what does it mean, and why is it significant? This post will explore the meaning of the Lamb of God and discuss its significance. Stay tuned!

What Does it Mean that Jesus is the Lamb of God?

When we hear the phrase “Lamb of God,” it’s often used in a religious context. But what does the Lamb of God mean? In the Christian faith, it is a term used to refer to Jesus Christ.

The meaning of this term comes from Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity’s sins, likened to the sacrifice of lambs. In ancient times people used them in religious ceremonies to atone for their wickedness. In the same way, Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself so that God would forgive the iniquities of humanity. 

The Lamb of God is also a symbol of innocence and purity. It is in keeping with Jesus’ role as a Savior; He was without sin, making Him the perfect candidate to take on the iniquities of humankind. The Lamb of God is a powerful symbol within the Christian faith, and its meaning has helped to shape the religion into what it is today.

In the Christian tradition, people see Jesus as the perfect lamb whose sacrifice offers forgiveness and redemption for all people. This idea is central to the Christian faith and teaches that we are forgiven and have eternal life through Christ’s sacrifice.

What Does Lamb of God Mean?

The Gospel of John refers to Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” Therefore, God did what was impossible under the law. In John 1:29, John the Baptist sees Jesus as the Lamb of God and exclaims, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This phrase also appears again in John 1:36 as he declares who Jesus is as He passes by. 

The Passover Lamb

The Passover is a Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt when God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to let his people go. The sacrificial lamb at Passover is the most vital meaning of the lamb. 

This tradition involves the sacrificial lamb the Jews eat during the Passover Seder (the ritual feast at the start of the Passover). The symbolism behind this meal is pretty straightforward: God saved us from slavery by sending His Son as our Savior (the sacrificial lamb); now, He wants us all to be delivered from sin and death together through Him (John 1:29)

The Significance of the Passover Lamb

It is important to understand that the Passover lamb is essential to understanding the meaning of the Lamb of God. 

The Old Testament’s Passover lamb pictures and symbolizes who Jesus is in the New Testament. Living a life with no sin, He was undeserving of the consequences of wickedness: death. In the eyes of God the Father, He was the pure and innocent lamb that is the only worthy sacrifice. 

Jesus willingly offered himself for humanity as the perfect, spotless lamb so God’s wrath would not destroy us. Because of His blood, God passes over us and does not see our sins nor take out His anger on us. The blood of Jesus redeems us, which is why He is the Passover Lamb. 

Christology

As God’s servant, the “Lamb of God”  aligns well with the “agent Christology” of the apostle John. It implies that tough choices need to be made as servants or agents of God to achieve victory.

“The Lamb as the agent of God,” as John Calvin presents, is the same Christological view. While Jesus could have pleaded for His innocence when He was tried by Pilate and at Herod’s Court, He mainly remained silent. He was subjected to crucifixion because He understood his role as the Lamb of God, surrendering to the crucifixion in submission to the Father.

Why is it Important to Understand the Meaning of the Lamb of God?

We can learn a lot about God’s nature through His name. The names of Jesus also bear this out, and we frequently hear – especially around Easter – that Jesus is the Lamb of God. Continue reading to discover the excellent indications of Jesus being called that name and the incredible meaning of the “Lamb of God” for us, even today. 

Why is Jesus Called the Lamb of God?

The apostle Paul beautifully summarizes the answer to this question in Romans 8:3. “The law of Moses was incapable of saving us because of the frailty of our sinful nature. Therefore, God did what was impossible under the law. He sent His own Son in the same body that we sinners have. And in Christ’s body, God proclaimed the end of sin and death’s hold on us by offering Him as a sacrifice for our sins.”

The Old Testament sacrifices provided a temporary covering for sin. Sin still ruled the people’s hearts. Israel would repeatedly commit the same sins, so a better method was required.

Jesus, called “the Lamb of God,” was our one-time sacrifice that satisfied God’s need for a blood offering. He was the perfect act of love, giving up His life so that the world could have the chance to change forever. We call Christ the “Lamb of God” because He was the perfect sacrifice of purity and cleanliness. He did nothing outside the Father, and even though He was a man, He was without sin.

What Does It Mean for Jesus to Be Called “The Lamb of God”?

No matter what culture we come from, we all know what it means to pay back what we owe. If we desire something, we must earn it or pay for it. Similarly, if we damage anything or commit a wrong, we should make restitution by using something valuable to us, such as time or money.

Jesus being the Lamb of God and giving up His life as the ultimate sacrifice for us means everything to Christians. Before the Lamb of God’s gift, we had to sacrifice ourselves to be right with God. We couldn’t talk to God until we did something else first. Now, we can go straight to the Father through Jesus. We can start praying and talking to God as soon as we realize we’ve done something wrong.

Because of the Blood of the Lamb, We Can Draw Close to God

Hebrews 10:19–22 illustrates the significance of Jesus’ deed by declaring, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, through the blood of Jesus, we can confidently enter Heaven’s Most Holy Place. Jesus’ death created a brand-new, sustaining access to the Most Holy Place. 

Furthermore, since we have a great High Priest in charge of God’s house, let us enter God’s presence with pure hearts, entirely relying on Him. Because Christ’s blood was used to wash away our sins and purify our consciences, pure water was used to wash our bodies.”

Where is the Lamb of God Found in the Bible?

We can find The “Lamb of God” meaning and context in different verses in the Scriptures. Let us look at how it is pictured and explained in various passages. 

The Suffering Lamb

The passage of Isaiah 53 describes Christ’s first coming and His death. Acts 8:32 also confirms that this text about Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch refers to Jesus Christ. In the narrative, the eunuch seeks clarification from Philip about the passage and afterward submits to baptism.

Jesus is the innocent lamb who had to go through a lot and died at the hands of His people. But He never once said that His death was wrong. He willingly went to the cross, where He died as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Gospel of John

The apostle John writes the “Lamb of God” statement about Jesus in one of the more well-known passages, which is John 1:29. John the Baptist is recorded here as saying, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” upon encountering Jesus. In John 1:36, John uses it again, prompting two of John’s followers to follow Jesus. These verses provide us insight into who Jesus is and what He came to do. 

Ransomed By The Blood Of The Lamb

As 1 Peter 1:18- 21 tells us, Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was the price He paid to release us from our sins. It is not because of our merit but because He willingly sacrificed Himself for our redemption. Ephesians 2:5 tells us, “It is by grace you have been saved.”

We can now have faith in God and the freedom to act on it without fear. Without the chains of sin holding us back, we can worship Him without hindrance.

Book of Revelation

In the book of Revelation, “the Lamb” is mentioned multiple times concerning the end times. According to the text of Revelation 12:11, “And they prevailed over him because of the blood of the Lamb.” Additionally, “the Lamb’s book of life” is referred to in Revelation 21:27.

From the beginning, the book of Revelation is described as a “revelation of Jesus Christ.” The emphasis on the Lamb of God as both Messiah and judge shows the dual role of Jesus: He saves people through self-sacrifice, but on the day of judgment, He makes people accountable for their actions.

In Summary

In this day and age where injustices, grief, and hopelessness seem prevalent, may the “Lamb of God” meaning and significance point us to a hope named Jesus. 

We no longer have to live under the bondage and captivity of sin because of the blood of the Lamb of God. Because it covers us, Satan’s lies and grip on our life no longer have a hold. It means that he no longer has control over our lives. Sin cannot drag us down, and death can no longer mock us.

Jesus has already triumphed. He accepted the punishment we deserved when He died on the cross. He didn’t want sin to separate us from God forever, which is the hope that Christ gave us. We can live a victorious life thanks to the Lamb of God.