Epiphany 2A January 20, 2007 In Nomine Iesu BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD John 1:29-42 Grace mercy and peace be to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, the true Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” These are the words of our text. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, notice what John the Baptist does NOT say when he sees Jesus. He does NOT say, “Behold, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who has come so that you must now worship and bow down before Him!” Notice He does NOT say, “Behold, the Lord God almighty who has come with all power and might to destroy all your enemies!” He does NOT say, “Behold King Jesus who has come to rule over you and to demand your obedience!” No. John points to Jesus and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” The Lamb of God. And every true Israelite knows that a lamb of God is a sacrifice. And that’s exactly what Jesus has come to be for you. The true, once-for-all sacrifice. THE sacrifice that takes away not only your sin - but the sin of the whole world. Recall some of the lambs of God from the Old Testament. Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac on the altar - it was a lamb provided by the Lord that was sacrificed instead. And Isaac’s life was spared. Just as the Israelites were about to be overtaken and slaughtered by cruel Pharaoh - it was a lamb provided by the Lord that was slaughtered instead. And with the blood of the sacrifice splashed on the doorposts - the life of Israel was spared - the angel of death passed over - and Israel was delivered through the Red Sea. “The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are; And when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Every year - on the Day of Atonement - an unblemished lamb was slaughtered for the sins of Israel. The blood of the lamb was then sprinkled on the heads of the people - covering their sin. There’s no doubt about it. To be a lamb of God is to be a sacrifice. A sacrifice that brings life out of certain death. A sacrifice that delivers from certain bondage and slavery. A sacrifice that covers sin and blots it out from the eyes of the Lord. “God Himself will provide the lamb.” That’s what father Abraham had promised to his only beloved son, Isaac. It is in Jesus that God Himself has provided THE Lamb - the final, once for all sacrifice. The final sacrifice which will once - for all - bring life out of certain death. The final sacrifice which will deliver from certain bondage and slavery. The final sacrifice that forever covers all sin and forever blots it out from the eyes of the Father. “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Just as the lamb provided by the Lord took Isaac’s place on the altar - so Jesus has taken YOUR place on the altar of the Cross. “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected the children of Israel from the Destroyer and delivered them from slavery - so the Blood of Jesus - THE Lamb of God - protects YOU from the destroyer - Satan- and delivers YOU from his bondage of sin and death. “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Just as the lamb’s blood on the Day of Atonement was splashed on the heads of the people - covering their sin and blotting it out from the eyes of the Lord - so the Blood of Jesus has been splashed on your head. And in Holy Baptism all your sin has been blotted out from the eyes of the Father. But recall from the Passover that it was only those who were covered with lamb’s blood that were safe and secure. All those found to be outside of the covering of the lamb’s blood endured the full wrath of our Lord’s hatred for sin. As long as the Israelite stayed in his house where the lamb’s blood was splashed - he was safe. No harm would come to him. But what would happen if the Israelite didn’t believe the word of the Lord? What would happen if - instead of taking the Lord at His word - the Israelite went his OWN way? Venturing out of the house on that fateful night? Leaving the place where the lamb’s blood was splashed - trusting in his own strength - his own ability - his own reason - instead of the blood of the sacrificial lamb? You know what would have happened. He would have been destroyed. Apart from the lamb’s blood there was no protection - no safety - no deliverance - that night. In Holy Baptism - YOU have been covered in the Blood of the Lamb of God. And in the Church you dwell in the holy house of the Lord where the Lamb’s Blood is continually poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. As long as you stay in this holy house - this place where the Lamb’s Blood is splashed - you are safe. No harm will come to you. You have the Lord’s word on that. But what would happen if - instead of taking the Lord at His word - you decide to go your OWN way? Venturing out of this holy house into the dark night of this world? And instead of taking the Lord at His word - you rather begin to trust in your OWN strength - your OWN ability to cope - your OWN reason and intellect - apart from the Blood of the sacrificial Lamb? You know what would happen. That is what sin is. Sin is deciding to go your own way. Sin is the venturing out from under the protection of the Lord and playing around in the dark night of this world. Sin is not taking the Lord at His Word - not trusting that He will actually do what He says He will do - both in the punishment of sin - and in the saving of your soul. “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” As if there is any doubt what is happening at Holy Communion - these words in our Liturgy make it sure and certain. On the altar you behold the very Lamb of God - the once-for-all sacrifice. That very sacrifice of which you are now invited to partake - as you actually eat and drink your salvation - as you feast on the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +++++++++++++++ Rev. Daniel J. Feusse Concordia Lutheran Church Clearwater, NE 402-485-2596
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