What is the meaning of "behold the lamb of God?
In the Old Testament, it is well known that lambs were offered and brought before the altar, kicking and wailing, as they were sacrificed to God. Theses sacrifices were a major part of the Jewish faith.
The wise men carried out the news of Jesus birth to the gentiles. When Jesus was born, the prophecy was set in motion that would be fulfilled within 33 years. Jesus was born of the spirit … not of man. He was born of this earth with no other purpose whatsoever, than to be sacrificed for yours and my redemption. Sacrificed like the lambs of the of the Old Testament. It was this sacrifice that brings about the division of the old and new testaments.
John, at Jesus' baptism, would proclaim to the world, "behold, the lamb of god"!
As soon as Jesus ministry had ended, he became the sacrificial lamb of god.
No more lambs would be sacrificed to Jehovah. God had ended the sacrificial rites of the Jews. The greatest of all sacrifices would take place. A willing sacrifice. A prophesied sacrifice. By the one whose arrival was announced to we gentiles by the wise men.
No more animals, struggling and crying at an altar … the one great sacrifice by one man which led to the "silence of the lambs."
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