Home for Christmas - Jesus the Lamb is born to die

Look, the Lamb of God: Paying Attention to What God is Doing

In a world filled with distractions and noise, it's easy to miss what God is doing right in front of us. Like a man holding up signs on a street corner to get people's attention, John the Baptist held up the ultimate sign - pointing directly to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

What Does It Mean That Jesus is the Lamb of God?

When John declared "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," he was referencing the Old Testament sacrificial system. In Exodus 12, God instructed His people to sacrifice a lamb and sprinkle its blood on their doorposts so the angel of death would pass over their homes.
John was pointing to Jesus as our Passover Lamb - the once-and-for-all sacrifice that eliminates the need for daily sacrifices. Jesus didn't come merely as a moral teacher or life coach. He came specifically to take away the sins of the world through His sacrificial death.

Why Does This Matter for Our Daily Lives?

Understanding Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb changes everything about how we live. When we see Jesus only as a good example, we become crushed under the pressure of trying to measure up. We exhaust ourselves trying to be the perfect spouse, employee, neighbor, or Christian.
But Jesus as the Lamb who rescues us provides freedom from that crushing pressure. We don't have to create our own acceptable sacrifices before God through our performance, success, or status. Christ has already provided the perfect sacrifice.

How Should We Respond to the Lamb of God?

Poet Mary Oliver wrote: "Pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it." These three phrases perfectly capture how we should respond to Jesus as the Lamb of God.

Are You Paying Attention?

Our attention spans have reportedly shrunk to about 9 seconds - the same as a goldfish. We've been lulled to sleep by noise, busyness, and constant distractions. Yet God is constantly trying to get our attention through circumstances, people, challenges, and blessings.
God may be working a miracle right in front of you - in your family, marriage, neighborhood, or relationships. The enemy's greatest strategy is distraction, making us believe that being busy equals being productive or valuable.
Even in desert seasons when God seems absent, He is still working, providing, speaking, moving, and preparing us for what's ahead. Just as God prepared the Israelites in the wilderness for the Promised Land, He may be preparing you for something greater.

Are You Astonished?

We need to recover the childlike wonder of faith. Many longtime believers have lost their initial passion and excitement for God. The flame that once burned brightly has dimmed.
If this describes you, pray that God would restore your astonishment. Ask Him to bring back the passion and energy you had when you first found the Lord. Return to that place where you were on fire for God and deeply grieved by the thought of loved ones not spending eternity with Him.

Are You Telling Anyone?

We've mistakenly reserved evangelism for trained professionals with flawless apologetics. This is one of the enemy's greatest victories in recent times. God doesn't need you to have all the answers - He can use your dependence on Him.
Think about the people God has already placed in your life. Sharing Jesus doesn't require a perfect presentation. It means living faithfully before others, offering encouragement, praying for people, and being ready to respond when they ask about your life.
You have what it takes. God uses imperfect, flawed people to grow His church and kingdom. He's simply waiting for people to make themselves available and say yes to His mission.

What Makes Jesus Different from Other Religious Leaders?

Jesus is not just one god among many or merely another moral example. He is the triumphant Lamb described in Revelation 5: "Worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise."
This isn't a cute petting zoo lamb, but the Lamb on the throne who will ultimately be worshiped by all. Worship isn't confined to Sunday mornings - it's the disposition of our hearts and the power of Christ flowing through us into others' lives.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to pray and ask God for one specific person He's calling you to share Jesus with. Don't let fear or feelings of inadequacy stop you. Trust that the Holy Spirit will give you the words when you need them.
Pay attention to what God is doing around you. Look for His work in your family, workplace, and community. Ask Him to restore your sense of wonder and astonishment at who He is and what He's done.
Ask yourself these questions:

Am I truly paying attention to what God is doing in my life and around me?
Have I lost the childlike wonder and astonishment I once had for Jesus?
Who is one person God has placed in my life that I could share His love with this week?
What pressures am I carrying that I need to surrender to Jesus, the Lamb who rescues?

Remember, you don't need perfect theology or flawless answers. You simply need to be available to God and willing to point others toward the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.