Learning About the Lamb of God, Part 3

If there’s one idea that’s emerged from the first two posts in this series (see Part 1 and Part 2), it’s that the Passover lamb wasn’t sacrificed for sins.

At least not for the transgressions of Israel.

Here are two quick summaries in Exodus 12 about the purpose of Passover:

“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. ¹³The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” – Exodus 12:12-13

“And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ ²⁷then tell them, “It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.”’ Then the people bowed down and worshiped.” – Exodus 12:26-27

The Egyptians were destroying Israel, which God saw as His firstborn, so He visited them with retribution.

“Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the LORD says: Israel is My firstborn son, ²³and I told you, “Let My son go, so He may worship Me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’” – Exodus 4:22-23

God directed Moses to have the Israelites sacrifice a lamb on the eve of Passover and spread its blood on the doorframes of their houses. The marks identified the residents as members of God’s family. The blood protected them from suffering the death of their own firstborn.

The Lord judged Egypt and its gods for the offense of trying to wipe out His people. But the sacrifice of the Passover lamb didn’t atone for the sins of the Israelites; it spared them from God’s judgment of the Egyptians.

But the New Testament broadens the scope of this sacrifice. According to John’s gospel, God called John the Baptist to testify about the identity of Jesus Christ.

“There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” – John 1:6-8

“John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, ‘This is the One I spoke about when I said, “He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.”’” – John 1:15

“‘I baptize with water,’ John replied, ‘but among you stands One you do not know. ²⁷He is the One who comes after me, the straps of Whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’” – John 1:26-27

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰This is the One I meant when I said, ‘A Man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ ³¹I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” ³²Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. ³³And I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The Man on Whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴I have seen and I testify that This is God’s Chosen One.” ³⁵The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” – John 1:29-36

Twice John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God. In doing so, he discharged his God-given mission to serve as Christ’s witness.

But why did He call Jesus the Lamb of God? Does John the Baptist view Jesus as the fulfillment of the Passover lamb? If so, His blood would protect God’s people from divine judgment.

John the Baptist added a phrase which changed the picture: “Who takes away the sin of the world.”

The Passover lamb didn’t remove the sin of Israel, much less the iniquity of Egypt! So does John the Baptist have Passover in mind when he announces that Jesus is the Lamb?

If we stick to the description of Passover in Exodus 12, we would have to say “no.” In that context, the blood of the lamb protected Israel but it didn’t atone for their sins.

John the Baptist jumped past the issue of Israel’s transgressions and went right to “the sin of the world.”

This is something the Passover lamb in the Old Testament never dealt with.

But it’s why God sent Jesus.

Christ not only fulfills the sacrifice of the Passover lamb; He expands its reach.

Remember, God calls Israel His “firstborn son” (Exodus 4:22). But this blessed status was inaccessible to everyone else.

Unless the Lord made it possible.

And He did!

John’s gospel proclaims that membership in God’s family is now available to everyone.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. ¹¹He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. ¹²Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God– ¹³children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. – John 1:9-13

The blood of the Passover lamb safeguarded God’s firstborn from the curse of death. The blood of Jesus safeguards those who trust in Him. Through faith in Christ, believers become members of God’s family, the very family they may have persecuted.

Judgment must come–God must set things right. But rather than punish those who behave as the Egyptians did, the Lord offers them the chance to escape the penalty of death. Under the blood of the Lamb of God, they will be safe; within the houses of the Israelites, they will join spiritual Israel. Those who were far from God will become His firstborn sons.

Jesus fulfills and expands the meaning of Passover. His blood which covers and protects is for all who avail themselves of it.

Have you?