Do you know someone by a nickname? Is there someone you know who answers to a call sign? Is there another name you answer to? How many nicknames or call signs do you answer to? Do you have a title or rank that you answer to? Have you thought about their meaning?
We may not think about it, but we answer to a variety of names, nicknames, call signs, titles, or ranks. Some are terms of endearment such as honey, babe, or sweets. Some are shortened versions of our name. Some are titles for a position we hold or military ranks. We answer to all of them.
Jesus was no different. There were many names or titles for Him including Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David, Messiah, Christ, Morning Star, and … Lamb of God. What comes to mind when you think of the title Lamb of God?
For the Jews of the first century, Lamb of God would have brought several images to mind. They would think of the Passover lamb, lamb led to slaughter, sacrificial lamb, triumphant lamb, lamb provided by God, and guilt offering. Jesus encompassed all of these with the title Lamb of God. John the Baptist recognized and proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God. Do we?
We don’t think much about sacrificing a lamb to God today. At most, we hear reference to it when studying the Old Testament. Therefore, it can be difficult for us to fully understand the cost of that sacrifice. Perhaps the closest we can come to it is if we have had to skip meals to allow our children to eat or thinking of someone running into a burning building to rescue another, and the one who ran into the building does not make it back out though they did save the one trapped. Jesus came into creation to sacrifice Himself so we might have eternal life with God. Amazing beyond comprehension!
I pray we know the various names that Jesus is known by. I pray we understand the meaning of those names. I pray each one of us are amazed that Jesus would step into creation to sacrifice Himself for us. Know Jesus’s alternate names. Know their meaning. Be amazed by Jesus’ sacrifice.
John 1:35-36 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”
Marty Pressey 