Let us look at four different aspects of the Lord Jesus Christ under His title of “Lamb.” John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)). A lamb is the symbol of meekness, gentleness and lowliness, so the blessed Lord Jesus was characterized by these qualities. Listen to His own words, “I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:2929Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29)). More than this, the Lord could challenge His enemies with the question, “Which of you convinceth Me of sin?” There was absolute perfection in Him.
The Walk of the Lamb
To trace the Lord’s pathway draws forth the heart in praise and worship. It was “looking on Jesus as He walked” that drew forth from John the exclamation, “Behold the Lamb of God.” He saw the dignity and moral beauty of His walk and His ways proclaimed His divinity. In ministry, to hold forth the person of the Lord Jesus always brings a blessing with it.
We have Him first as dwelling with the Father from all eternity. Then, in view of the work of redemption, He became a man. He did not despise the virgin’s womb, nor the manger at Bethlehem, nor the circumstances of shame and suffering incidental to His path of self-renouncing love. He is recognized by aged Simeon in the memorable words, “Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.”
Again we see Jesus at 12 years of age, in the presence of the elders, “hearing them, and asking them questions.” Years elapse, and we find Him baptized of John in Jordan, and a voice from heaven saying to Him, “Thou art My beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” And lastly, we have His wonderful testimony of three and a half years, in which He continually went about doing good. He became a man that He might reveal the Father.
The Work of the Lamb
In the second aspect it is the same introduction, only another element is brought in — that of sin-bearer. He was God’s Lamb, the Lamb provided by God in order to meet God’s claims. We may think of our sins as bringing Him, but it was God who gave Him. The love is on God’s side, and He gave His Son.
Sacrifice attaches to the word “lamb” in Scripture, and the Lamb of God became the sin-bearer. The Lord Jesus bore the sins of believers, but here we read of the “sin of the world” ― a wider thought than the sins of believers. Thus we read in Colossians 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20), “Having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” So, in Hebrews 9:2323It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Hebrews 9:23), “things in the heavens should be purified.” This helps to explain the expression “sin of the world.” The work to accomplish this has been done, but in the new heaven and the new earth righteousness will dwell. Then we shall see the full results of the cross ― the everlasting expulsion of sin from that new creation where “all things are of God.”
Meanwhile, through the work of the Lamb of God, the forgiveness of sins is preached, and whosoever believes in Him is justified from all things.
The Worship of the Lamb
In Revelation 5:11-1211And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:11‑12) we find the third aspect of the Lamb: “I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”
This is a different scene; it is not a Lamb on the altar, but a Lamb worshipped by the hosts of heaven, yet the same Lamb. Once the object of scorn and hatred, He is now the center of universal adoration!
Once they bowed the knee before Him in mockery and proud contempt; now they fall before Him in adoring worship. Once when on Calvary’s cross “sitting down they watched Him there”; now concentric circles of living creatures, elders and myriad hosts of angels prostrate themselves before the enthroned Lamb of God. He was in weakness here, but He exercises power there. What a change for the Lamb! From the cross of shame to the throne of glory; He deserves such exaltation!
Some may not know what worship is. Do you think it is merely going on your knees and saying your prayers, or coming to hear the gospel preached? In prayer you ask for the supply of need, and in hearing you come for instruction. But in worship the soul gives to God that of which He is worthy. Christians can act more like beggars than worshippers. We may have our needs, but worship is the enjoyment of God’s company — giving back to Him what He has first given me. The Father knows our need, but He seeks worshippers. Dear fellow Christians, may our hearts flow over with streams of gratitude.
The Wrath of the Lamb
The fourth aspect is in Revelation 6:12-1712And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:12‑17). It is not the walk, nor the work, nor the worship, but the wrath of the Lamb that we find here. “The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” What? The wrath of the Lamb? Yes, a paradox, but an awful fact; a seeming contradiction, but a terrible truth! That hand which men nailed to the cross shall wield the scepter. That brow which men tore by the crown of thorns shall wear the diadem of glory. He who was led as a Lamb to the slaughter shall sit as a Judge on the throne.
Meekness is not weakness; gentleness is not feebleness; lowliness is not impotence. He who in the days of His flesh displayed the grace of the Lamb will exhibit then the omnipotence of the Judge of all. Futile will be their call to the mountains, vain their cry to the rocks! The mountains will not fall and the rocks will not hide; the fearful vision of the Lamb’s righteous wrath must be seen by all. “Every eye shall see Him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him” (Rev. 1:77Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)). Those who look to Him now will find Him a Savior, but those who refuse Him now will find Him a Judge.
J. W. S. (adapted)