Dear Christian friends:

The Bible gives Jesus many beautiful names. He is called Prince of Peace like our Church here, Light of the World, Son of God, Teacher, King of Kings, Lord, Holy One of God, and others. But the most precious name to me is the name John the Baptizer calls Him in our text, Lamb of God.

When Jesus came to John to be baptized and He saw the Spirit of God resting on Him John told all the people look, look, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29, 36) So I also say to you today, "Look, Look, the Lamb of God!

I love that name! It is a very precious name. John was excited, Look, look here He is! The One God promised to send to take away the sin of the world, the Messiah, the Christ! Finally He comes. God has not forgotten us! He does not break His promises which He said to Adam and Eve and to Noah and Abraham and David and all our fathers. The Lord the Savior, the Son of God is now here!

But why does John the Baptizer call Him the Lamb? Why not Messiah or Christ? John wants to impress Jesus' true work. Many Jews had misunderstandings about Christ or the Messiah. They wanted only a Soldier King like David to make them free from their practical enemies, the Romans. They were hoping for a King to help them establish the old earthly kingdom and glory like before under King David and King Solomon.

They were not hoping for a Lamb from God to be crucified and shed His blood for forgiveness of sins. They didn't look for a spiritual King and a spiritual Kingdom.

So John calls Jesus LAMB. Jewish people understood that word. By the blood of lambs slain they often received salvation from God. The Passover Lamb. (Explain)

Many people today are like those Jews they think Jesus should be a earthly Savior and help establish a heaven on earth. They are not interested about sin and forgiveness of sins, and about spiritual things. The name "Lamb of God" is not precious to them. They don't want to think about sin and confess sin. They are not interested in Jesus crucified and His blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. The Lamb, His death and victorious resurrection does not give great joy to them.

Often we are like that, too. We seek our joy, pleasure and thrills here in this world. We are more eager to go bowling than to a church meeting; to a dinner, or party than the Lord's Supper; to watch TV than to watch preaching or to read our Bible. Many of us still spend more money and time for earthly thrills and pleasure than for the blessings and joys of the Lamb of God.

We need this strong impression from John the Baptizer. We are lost sinners; God now sends His Son to be our Lamb to be slain and to shed His holy blood for our sins. The Lamb will rise from death in great glory and victory.

The Lamb will sit on God's throne in heaven. Before Him will gather a great multitude which no man can number from all nations of the earth. They are the people who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and they sing before His throne with palms in their hands:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.” (Revelations 7:10)

And they hear the angels sing:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!” (Revelations 7:12)

The Lamb of God is that name precious to you? Will you love and praise that name in glory in heaven? Then follow that Name on earth.

Two disciples of John when they heard John's name, Jesus the Lamb, Jesus the Lamb of God they followed Him and stayed at His house all day to hear His wonderful Words of God's love salvation.

Then one, Andrew, went and told his brother, Simon Peter; "We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus." (John 1:41) Andrew gave a beautiful witness of Jesus the Lamb. And He gives us a perfect example in mission work for the Lamb.

Go to your brother and say, "I have the One from God the Savior, the Lamb." Talk to your brother or friend and like Andrew lead him to Jesus.

Are you afraid to do that? Are you ashamed of the Lamb? Then hear this song! Jesus, and Shall It Ever Be, Lutheran Hymnal #346.

1 Jesus! and shall it ever be
A mortal man ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee whom angels praise,
Whose glories shine through endless days?

4 Ashamed of Jesus, that dear Friend
On whom my hopes of heav'n depend?
No; when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere His Name.

5 Ashamed of Jesus? Yes, I may
When I've no guilt to wash away,
No tear to wipe, no good to crave,
No fears to quell, no soul to save.

6 Till then--nor is my boasting vain--
Till then I boast a Savior slain;
And oh, may this my glory be,
That Christ is not ashamed of me!

Amen.