Lamb

This week we begin worship with:

John 1:26–29

John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Those that heard this announcement must have been stunned.

Under the Law, when a person sinned they were bound by the priest to make atonement.  They themselves would sacrifice in a literal sense, because the animal that would be sacrificed would come from their flock.  But John declared that this Lamb was "of God".  

Our atonement would be at His cost.

Also striking is the use of a lamb, for goats that were used for atonement.  Even on the annual Day of Atonement, it was a living goat that would be sent into the wilderness carrying the guilt of the nation.  Lambs are not associated with guilt and were only used when a sin was unintentional. 

Our Lord Jesus would be a sacrifice without guilt.