Behold the Lamb

John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. He evidently understood something about Jesus for he considered himself unworthy to baptise Him. Jesus and the Baptist were cousins and yet, according to John’s own testimony, he did not recognise Jesus as the new creation until he saw the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him. After this illumination, he could testify with absolute certainty that this was the Son of God. He proclaimed to all who stood by, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ John 1:29.

This is a most remarkable statement. Illuminated by the Holy Spirit, John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of God. And he compels us to behold Him in this same way! We recall the words in the beginning of the book of Revelation, ‘Behold, He is coming with the clouds’. Rev 1:7. And likewise at the end of the book, ‘Behold, I am coming quickly’. Rev 22:12. We must behold the Lamb if we desire to make ourselves ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus at the end of the age. This will most certainly involve looking at the Lamb in a new way.

What a surprise it must have been for the Baptist when he beheld his own cousin as the Lamb of God. This is the quandary and challenge for us all. We cannot behold the Lamb with natural sight; nor can we understand the things of God by natural reasoning. Accordingly, Paul exhorted the Corinthians, ‘Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer’. 2 Cor 5:16. And further to this, ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new’. 2 Cor 5:17. Jesus Christ is the new creation. And, as the Lamb, He brings forth the new creation. He is the second Man from heaven, the life-giving Spirit, who came to give us the life of new creation. 1 Cor 15:45-47.

Our eternal inheritance is not a mortal body which is revived and then goes on forever. That would be a body of corruption. Our resurrection isn't just eternal longevity. We are clothed with the incorruptible life of Jesus Himself. We receive a body for the new heavens and new earth which has been transformed into the likeness of His glorious body. Phil 3:21. This was the body that the disciples were able to see and touch! And not surprisingly, they were filled with exceeding joy, something that no one could take from them!

We cannot limit the Lamb to a vicarious sacrifice as a substitution in our place. The blood of the Lamb achieves much more than the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus took away the first and established the New Covenant in His blood. He testified at the last supper, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in My blood’. Luke 22:20. This is the precious blood of the Lamb, unblemished and spotless; the Lamb of God. The apostle Peter is quite clear. We have been redeemed from our futile way of life by the precious blood of a Lamb, the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18,19. And we have been redeemed to a new way of life as a royal and holy priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices to God.

Let us heed the command to behold the Lamb. In the book of Revelation, the apostle John sees ‘a Lamb standing, as if slain’. Rev 5:6. He is alive from the dead, the living One. He is the great Shepherd of the sheep who is leading us to the springs of the water of life in the new heavens and new earth. Let us pray that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened to know the hope of His calling and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Eph 1:19. May we receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him who is the Lamb of God!

Victor Hall

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Feature Articles
April 2009

How does faith grow?

Behold the Lamb

Pray without ceasing

The springs of song

Holy to the Lord

Supporting identity

Why do we fast?

Making vows

Watch over your soul

Learning patience

God is. Great!