Slaughtered lambs and sacrifices are not something we are used to. The whole concept of a lamb being killed and its blood being shed to cover our sin seems odd and off-putting; brutal and cruel; just a bit barbaric. The whole, “Lamb of God” (“Agnus Dei”) all just seems just a bit…much.

Let’s just talk about Jesus sacrifice for sin in an abstract way. A sanitized way. Let’s just think about Good Friday and what happened there as an concept; an academic reality; as a tragic story.

The reality of Good Friday and Jesus as the Agnus Dei should cause us deep and lasting pause. It should cause a rip in our heart and a breathlessness in our spirit.

When we understand the true and utter pain and sacrifice – of will and life – taken on by our Lord, it should be shocking, devastating, and numbing. The trauma He underwent should traumatize us to the core.

But…it should also move us from the deep regret from the reality of our sins which precipitated this willing action to a deeper gratitude and soul-stirring joy for the results this brings – complete forgiveness, fulfilled life from death, everlasting communion with God!

“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.

Behold. Look upon. Take to heart and mind Who He is and what He did. All of it. Don’t shy away. Don’t avert your eyes. Behold. The Lamb of God. For you. For the world.

“Thank, You, Lord Jesus, Agnus Dei, for all of it. For me. Thank You.”

Scripture

  • Exodus 12:1-14
  • 1 Corinthians 1:18-23
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