For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you
were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, [19]
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. [20] He
was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your
sake. (1 Peter 1:18-20) (NIV).
The Word of God clearly states that without the shedding of blood there is no remission
of sins. On the day of Passover, the spotless, perfect Pascal lamb was slit at the throat;
the blood was caught in a vessel in the first Passover in Egypt was applied to the
doorpost and lintel of each household of Israel. As a result of this obedience Israel not
only escaped death but also was delivered out of Egypt and was delivered to become a
nation.
Peter makes the application to his friends and to you and me that it was this precious
blood that became the means of our redemption.
Hebrews 13:12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people
holy through his own blood. (Hebrews 13:12)
We have been putting a lot of emphasis on the suffering of Jesus Christ, but we should
not overlook the importance of the shed blood of Christ. While the theme of this series is
not on the blood of Christ, the subject deserves some attention. As the throat of the
Pascal lamb had been slit and blood poured out in gory of life flowing out of the innocent
one the Israelite would have been rehearsing his sins and the fact that this blood that
was being shed was a substitute for his punishment. The innocent one (Pascal lamb) had
died and the man's sins were removed from his head to the head of the lamb. Just so, it
was necessary for Jesus Christ to become the fulfillment of that innocent one as the
suffering, yes, but also the dying one. Jesus died for the sins of the world so that all
mankind might have the opportunity to live forever. It was through this dying – this
shedding of his precious blood that all of us, the people of God, were to be made holy
– set apart, a people of God.
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he
also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that
had the power of death, that is, the devil;
The central theme around which Redemption pivots is the shedding of the blood of
Christ. It was through the blood of man that Jesus became identified with man. That is, He
did not become an angel or some other form of creature – He did not appear in
some sort of christophany and appear to die on the cross. No. It was necessary that the
Son of God becomes completely identified with man and that was accomplished though
becoming man himself. Jesus Christ became a partner with us in as much as He was a man
with a real body – a body that was planned from before eternity to be sacrificed on
the cross for all of us.
Hebrews 9:13-14 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: [14] How much
more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without
spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
All of the sacrifices of centuries before – thousands – tens of thousands of
innocent lambs pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, though identified with man as man
himself was without sin, perfect in every way – thus Jesus bled and died on the cross
and as a result of His finished work on the cross has the power to purge –
empty the collective consciences of all believing men and to empower them to serve
the living God. There is truly power in the blood of Christ.
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus,
Let us never forget the tremendous price that was paid for our redemption – but
let us avail ourselves of the privilege that comes from that investment of God. Because of
His Shed blood we may enter into the very presence of God. Let us move on the our paradox.
The Paradox of the Lamb of God.
The Pascal Lamb was picked out from among the flock. We have learned that The Lamb of
God was to become man and become the sacrifice for all of mankind so that they might have
eternal life. But the name "Lamb of God" does not merely refer to his humanity.
The Son of God was chosen to be the Lamb of God before the world was even created.
God's Love for his precious Lamb did not begin at the birth of Christ. We will now
pick up this thought by turning to the gospel of John. Please turn to John 18:37. Take
note of the dialogue between Pilate and Jesus just before his crucifixion –
"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest
that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I
should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."
(John 18:37).
Jesus said this while standing bound before Pilate about to be crucified as the Lamb of
God. I take this as paradox – just as was the paradox of the placard that was placed
above his head on the cross.
"And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin,
and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." (Luke 23:38)
Actually, Pilate introduced the paradox by asking the question whether or not he was a
king. So we have this paradox the paradox of Jesus at once being the Lamb of God
apparently bound and helpless and Pilate asking him if he was a king. Of course Jesus was
indeed the King the king not only of the Jews but also of all kings having complete
sovereignty over his whole creation – including his certain death on the cross. The
paradox continues on in Revelation 5:6. Let's keep reading.
"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in
the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven
eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."
At one hand we have "a Lamb as it had been slain." On the other hand the
prophecy refers to Jesus Christ as "…in the midst of the throne and of the
four beasts, and in the midst of the elders…"
There is, of course, no paradox because this is the great plan of redemption coming to
a focal point and the Word of God is merely pointing out to man what seems to be
totally paradoxical. But from the point of redemption's view this is the
natural course of events – before Jesus would assume the role of King of Kings he
first had to assume the role of the Pascal Lamb of God and become the sacrifice for the
sins of the world.
Again, may I quote from my favorite theologian, Lenski: "The
fact that calling the conquering Lion from the tribe of Judah a Lamb is a
strong paradox need scarcely be said; the paradox is solved by what follows . . . While
sitting on the throne (4:2, 3, 9) symbolizes the exercise of power and dominion on the
part of God (and on the part of Christ when sitting on God's right hand), this does not
apply when the Victor himself is symbolized as a Lamb. Stephen saw Jesus 'standing' in the
vision recorded in Acts 7:56, because he had risen to receive him." [1]
In the book of Revelation Jesus Christ is the victor. He and he alone fulfilled the
great plan of redemption – he stands uniquely as the fulfillment of
redemption's plan and is to act in the final conclusion of it.
Jesus Christ, The Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God.
Rev. 5:5-6 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the
tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven
seals thereof. [6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the
four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having
seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the
earth.
Redemption was to come to fruition. Chapter four of Revelation centered on the throne
of God. Twelve times the word "throne" is cited in this chapter. The throne of
God speaks of his sovereignty and power over his creation. John was invited to "come
up here" where he was to be shown in the Revelation of Christ, the things that would
happen on earth." When we recite the "Lord's Prayer" we find the
words – "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Chapter four the
chapter that tells of God's sovereignty and power, leads naturally into chapter five where
the present world system is to be judged and brought to a conclusion because God in His
sovereignty has determined it to be so..
So as the Lion of Judah, Jesus is to bring to a head all the
promises of God made to Abraham regarding his progeny – his inheritance that he would
become a nation of countless number and to Judah – that the scepter would never
depart from his hand.[2] To David He was to be the One
who would reign forever as David's Son.[3] So
then, as the Lamb of God , Jesus represents the Victorious servant of God who now stands
ready open a new "chapter" the chapter of ousting Satan as the ruler of this
world and introducing the kingdom of God on earth. The paradox is resolved through the
revelation of God.
As the Victorious Lamb of God He is to be executor of God's plan of redemption,
as the Lion of Judah he is to rule forever as King of kings and Lord of lords
Rev. 5:7-9 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon
the throne. [8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty
elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of
odours, which are the prayers of saints. [9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou
art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast
redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Contained within this book is the final chapter and Jesus Christ as the obedient
Son of God who left his state of glory to become the Lamb of God is to be the possessor
and executor of God's plan to install his kingdom on this earth. Note the importance
placed on the "prayers of the saints." It is in the arena of our prayers that we
participate in this final chapter. The golden vials containing these prayers refer to the
practice of the priests in the tabernacle of anointing every article of furniture. The
prayers being this contained in these vials should strongly suggest to us as his children
that he places great importance on our prayers. In fact, while we are to be about the
"business" of reconciliation we are also to be about the "business" of
participating with the Trinity in the details of this grand conclusion – the
final chapter of God making all things new on earth.
So, this is not a paradox, this image of the Lion and the Lamb – rather it is the
complete imagery of Christ's total position of being the executor of Redemption's plan and
the King of kings who will rule forever. Both the promises of God to Abraham and to his
son Judah and the promises to the rest of the world were to be completed in the
person of Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God.
1. THE INTERPRETATION OF ST. JOHN'S REVELATION. Lenski, pg. 199. [Back]
2. Genesis 49: 9, 10. [Back]
3. Jeremiah 33:17. [Back]
Look Scripture up.