As we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, we must know why he came; otherwise it will be a tragedy to celebrate a saviour and have no relationship with him.

When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him, he acclaimed: ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

This world is held captive by sin following the fall of man. A lamb had to be sacrificed to take away the sin of the world, and the power thereof. Jesus was the perfect lamb without blemish or defect. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4). …..”without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)

This Lamb had been slain from the creation of the world: Revelation 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast — all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. (NIV)

Even Satan was not aware of the power in the blood of Jesus; not until Jesus had died and resurrected. It got the rulers of this age by surprise that God had such a plan for man’s salvation. 1 Corinthians 2:7-10 – No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. v8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

On the cross Satan and his angels were disarmed. He was served a blow! We have power over Satan through Christ who is in us (1 John 4:4). “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” – Colossians 2:15 (NKJV)

His blood is precious: (1 Peter 1: 18) 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 ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. v20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (NIV)

By shedding his blood, Jesus was giving his life (greatest love: John 15:13): For life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11).

In Exodus 12 each family was to slay a lamb during the Passover. The meaning of the Passover lamb is entrenched in the “lamb slain from the foundation of the world”. An animal was sacrificed in order to protect the family from the angel of death. The Passover lamb was a foreshadow of Jesus.

Jesus the lamb of God:

– Redeemed us from the empty way of life following the fall of man (1 Peter 1:18)

– The blood brings Justification (To be legally declared pardoned of sin) – (Romans 5:9)

– Was *punished* that we might be *forgiven* (Isaiah 53: 4–5).

– Was *wounded* that we might be *healed* (Isaiah 53: 4–5, 1 Peter 2:24).

– Was put to *death* that we might be given new *life* (Hebrews 2: 9, Romans 6:4).

– Took our *poverty* that we might have *abundance* (2 Corinthians 8: 9).

– Took our *rejection* that we might receive the Father’s *acceptance* (Ephesians 1: 5–6).

– Was made a *curse* that we might enter into *blessing* (Galatians 3: 13–14).

– He *cancelled* the certificate of debts/charges that were speaking against us (Colossians 2:14)

– The blood of Jesus our mediator speaks of better things: forgiveness, reconciliation, healing – (Hebrews 12:24). Abel died without his consent, hence his blood had to be avenged, but Jesus died out of love.

***His blood has made provision for everything – Satan, sin, sickness. The blood is God’s answer to every man’s need.

This Lamb has triumphed over everything:

He is the lion reigning in power, and only he – “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to lose the seven seals thereof” – Revelation 5:5 (The scroll containing God’s coming judgement for a wicked world). v9 – Shows us that this lamb who has triumphed was slain and with his blood he purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. Through this Lamb, salvation came to every tribe, language, people and nations.

**The power that raised Jesus from the dead is still at work. This gives us hope for our faith knowing that – “the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus” (2 Corinthians 4:14) ** Let us desire to draw closer to God through the shed blood of Jesus, to receive his gift of salvation and to enjoy life in abundance through Jesus. Jesus is the final and sufficient sacrifice for all our needs.

By Chaplain Stephen.