ISAIAH tells us “He is brought (or led) as a lamb to the slaughter.” In the book of Revelation we read of those who “follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” Our first text brings Jesus before us as a lamb being led, “led to the slaughter,” and none was ever led to such cruel slaughter as He. Who led Him? Not gentle hands; rough, fierce men hurried Him to death, and they were instigated by the hatred and malice of those belonging to His own beloved nation. This thought must have caused Him deeper anguish than all bodily pain. Did He not say in view of His griefs, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death”? (Mark 14:3434And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. (Mark 14:34).)
They seem to have had it all their own way, leading Him first to priests, then to Pilate, then to Herod, and back to Pilate again, and, from him to Calvary, where they slew Him — “the Lamb of God.” What deep, mysterious love, that He should allow Himself to be so led!
But the scene changes: He who was led as a lamb to the slaughter, leads His people. “They follow the Lamb.” Where does He lead His redeemed and glorified ones? Not to suffering and death, but to endless joys — to fountains of living water, to pleasures for evermore. In those bright scenes above He most graciously and tenderly retains His character of the Lamb.
Jesus leads us while we are here on earth, and He says to each of us, “Follow thou Me.” (John 21:2222Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (John 21:22).) This is a personal call. He will guide us in all things day by day; let us seek to obey His voice. There is nothing really worth knowing without the knowledge of Him. All other wisdom will be as nothing — with it, all other may be sanctified. Let us work and live for Him, who “was led as a lamb to the slaughter” for us — for us!
St. Mark, in his account of Jesus giving sight to a blind man (ch. 8:23), tells us, “He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town.” How gently His hand would guide that man away from the bustle and the noise; how carefully would He lead him, telling him where to avoid a stone or a rough place, and where it was safe for him to tread; then, at the end of the journey, He gave him the blessing of sight, that thus the man might see the powerful and gentle Saviour who had so tenderly “led him out of the town.”
Does He not deal thus with us? He led us “out of the town” — away by ourselves. We did not always see Him; our eyes were once blinded by doubt. He leads us still, and He will do so to the end, then He will give us eyes to behold Him — “the King in His beauty.” Yes, very soon and “we shall see Him as He is.”
E. D. E.