John 1:29 The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. I. THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE VICTIM. Gentleness and innocence are suggested by lambs generally. Besides this, the lamb selected for sacrifice was to be without blemish. And Jesus was gentle. "He did not cry," etc. This was not the gentleness of weakness, for He calmed the storm and raised the dead. He was "without spot" — "holy, harmless, undefiled." II. THE DEATH OF THE VICTIM. The lamb was slain in sacrifice. So the death of Christ was the chief feature of His life — predicted, prominent in His own mind, the chief feature of the gospels and epistles. III. SALVATION IS CONNECTED WITH THE DEATH OF THE VICTIM. Ancient prophecy spoke of Him as "wounded for our transgressions." He Himself said, "As Moses lifted up," etc. The apostles proclaimed salvation through His death. IV. CONSIDER WHAT, AS SAVIOUR, HE DOES. 1. He takes away the guilt and penalty of sin. It was not the guilt of separate sins that the Lamb of God expiated. It was sin itself. 2. He takes away the power of sin. He destroys sin itself. V. THIS HE DOES FOR ALL MANKIND. The whole world needed salvation, and we may infer that the supply is co-extensive with the want. As He commands the gospel to be preached to every creature, there must be a gospel for every creature; and those who do not actually obtain salvation fail only "because of unbelief." (Newman Hall, LL. B.) Parallel Verses KJV: The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. |
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