THE LAMB OF GOD
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
Isaiah 49:3, 5–6 / 1 Corinthians 1:1–3 / John 1:29–34
Jesus Revealed as the Lamb of God: Today’s Gospel presents Jesus to us as “the Lamb of God.” This title appears explicitly in John 1:29 and again in John 1:36. Every name given to Jesus in Scripture reveals something deeper about his identity and mission. To call Jesus the Lamb of God means that he is the perfect and ultimate sacrifice for sin. The lamb also symbolizes humility and service. In this sense, Jesus is the Servant of God, obedient to the Father even unto death.
Again, John introduced Jesus saying: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John did not introduce Jesus as a miracle worker, chain breaker, destiny changer, promise keeper, burden bearer, mountain mover, financial provider, emergency helper, business partner, political liberator, or any other title people often seek. He introduced him first and foremost as “The Lamb of God”. From that very moment, the mission and destiny of Christ became clearer. He was not out to entertain crowds, but to carry the sin of the world. True faith begins when we stop seeking spectacle and start beholding the Saviour. Stay put to the mission and identity of Christ, don’t be distracted. We love to give Jesus other names that possibly sway us away from his mission. In a world where prophets, prophecies and promises abound, we still need the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The first miracle you need is the forgiveness of sin. To what end are your prophecies when your sins abound.
Old Testament Background of the Lamb: In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were accustomed to sacrificing lambs for the forgiveness of sins. They were also familiar with the prophetic words of Jeremiah and Isaiah: “Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter” (Jeremiah 11:19; Isaiah 53:7). Therefore, when John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and called him the Lamb of God, the Jews immediately understood the meaning and gravity of this declaration. John was revealing Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy and the one who would bring definitive salvation.
Jesus, the True Paschal Lamb: Jesus is the Lamb who replaces the Paschal Lamb (Mark 14:12). The Paschal lamb was sacrificed on the night of the first Passover, just before the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:11–13). Furthermore, Exodus 29:38–42 tells us that every morning and evening a lamb was sacrificed in the temple for the sins of the people. Significantly, the time of Jesus’ death on the cross coincided with the time of the evening sacrifice in the temple. This is not accidental. Jesus Christ is the perfect sacrifice provided by God as atonement for the sins of humanity.
The End of Animal Sacrifice: Beloved in Christ, animal sacrifice ended with Jesus Christ. Hebrews 7:27 reminds us that Jesus offered himself once and for all. Any continued offering of animal sacrifices is therefore contrary to Christian faith and becomes sinful. Sadly, some people, even after coming to know Christ, still engage in such practices by killing goats and fowls in shrines, rivers, and junctions. This is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. The Lamb of God has already taken away the sin of the world.
John the Baptist: A Model of True Witness: John knew his role: not to compete with Jesus, but to point to him. In a world obsessed with self-promotion, John teaches us the power of faithful and humble witness. As Christians, witnessing is our primary responsibility. There are two kinds of witness: true witness and false witness. Whatever we do, we are bearing one or the other. This includes our speech, actions, dressing, decency, and modesty. Our lives either draw people closer to Christ or push them away from him.
Our Mission : The first reading deepens this message. It tells us that Israel’s mission is to be a light to the nations, so that God’s salvation may reach the ends of the earth. This leads us to a personal question: What is your mission after baptism? Have you been a light to your family, neighbours, workplace, and friends? Our behaviour is often responsible for the belief or unbelief we see around us today. Being a true witness is the only ticket we have on earth to be relevant in heaven. Let us resolve today to do the will of God, echoing the words of the Responsorial Psalm: “See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.”
LET US PRAY
Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
