Behold the Lamb!

Drawing by Tom Kauffman

The image in my mind, as we consider the day of Christ's crucifixion, the long dark waiting, and the day of triumph, is of a lamb. Isaiah talks about the suffering servant as a lamb, led to the slaughter, silent before his accusers. And he talks about us, sheep who have gone astray. The death of the Lamb give us life, and the brokenness of the Lamb provides our healing. John the Baptiser saw Jesus approach and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

Please take a few moments to watch this moving recitation of Isaiah 53. 

And then I invite you to listen to two songs that celebrate the Lamb. (You can choose between the two if you like, but I simply couldn't make a choice myself!) The first is of Dottie Rambo singing a song which she wrote called Behold the Lamb. The other song is by Andrew Peterson and is called Behold the Lamb of God.

From the Revelation of John, chapter five:

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, 

standing in the center of the throne, 

encircled by the four living creatures and the elders... 

And they sang a new song:

"You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased men for God

from every tribe and language

and people and nation.

You have made them to be a kingdom of priests 

to serve our God,

and they will reign on the earth."

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, 

numbering thousands upon thousands, 

and ten thousand times ten thousand. 

They encircled the throne 

and the living creatures and the elders. 

In a loud voice they sang:

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom 

and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven 

and on earth and under the earth 

and on the sea, 

and all that is in them, 

singing:

"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!"

The four living creatures said, "Amen," 

and the elder fell down and worshipped.

(verses 6a, 9-14)