Following the Lamb

Why did Jesus call each of His disciples with the words, 'Follow Me.'? He certainly wasn't looking for an itinerant crowd to follow Him wherever He went. He wasn't looking to build an empire, nor was He calling for people to follow a religion. We must firstly consider the words of John the Baptist, 'Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world'. John 1:29. Jesus was the Lamb of God. Clearly, those who followed Jesus were not following the carpenter from Nazareth. They were following the Lamb. In the book of Revelation, we read of 'the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes'. Rev 14:4.

We can only imagine the impact of John the Baptist declaring Jesus to be the Lamb of God. The Jewish people knew exactly what the Lamb represented. The blood of the Lamb was implicit in their entire national veracity and viability because it delivered them from the slavery of Egypt. Exo 12:1–13. We could say that they wouldn't have existed as a nation without the Passover Lamb. So the declaration that Jesus had come with the same kind of mandate and authority, must have caused quite a stir.

When we consider the nature of a lamb, it is not powerful, strong or valiant. Even in the face of difficulty, a lamb remains quiet and gentle. We've all seen sheep being sheared and observed how still and quiet they stay in the hands of the shearer. The Bible uses this symbolism when it refers to Jesus as the Lamb. He is meek, gentle, and silent in the face of tribulation. This is how He leads, and this is how we are to follow. 'He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers.' Isa 53:7. Unlike the nation of Israel who complained in the wilderness, the evidence we're following the Lamb is that we trust Him. In the face of all contradiction, our mouth is closed, and we're sweet, meek and lowly.

The meekness of Jesus wasn't only seen in His final suffering, which of course, culminated in His crucifixion. There were plenty of times throughout His life when He may have felt inequity and injustice. Many allegations were unfair and untrue, yet He maintained gentleness and sweetness. He was the Lamb. Likewise, when we're assaulted and unfairly treated, we must keep following the Lamb in meekness and lowliness. Remember Jesus promised, 'Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls'. Matt 11:29. The way of the Lamb will lead us to rest.

Following the Lamb will be a daily reality as we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Rom 12:1. We must display the behaviours of service and offering, selflessness and sacrifice that He taught. There should never be a moment when the aroma of our life isn't ascending before the Lord. We are very familiar with the words of the twenty-third psalm, 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want'. Psa 23:2. Jesus is both the Lamb and the great Shepherd. If we follow Him in the way of offering, He will lead, guide, and comfort us. He leads us beside quiet waters and guides us in the paths of righteousness.

David Falk

Return to top

Feature Articles
February 2009

A measure of faith

Faith for resurrection

Calling upon the Lord

Ready or not

Recognising new creation

Learning to shepherd

The word of faith

The fruits of wisdom

Following the Lamb

Once I was blind

What are fences for?