(a) How does John describe Jesus as the Lamb of God? (b) In what two ways is this description significant to Christians?

Answer Details

(a) How John describes Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1)

The description was given by John the Baptist. As John was baptising at the Jordan, he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" He explained that this was the one of whom he had said, "After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me," and that he himself had come baptising with water so that Jesus might be revealed to Israel.

John testified further that he saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven and remain on Jesus, and that God, who sent him to baptise, had told him, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptises with the Holy Spirit." And John concluded, "And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."

The next day, as John again saw Jesus walk by, he repeated, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" On hearing this, two of John's disciples followed Jesus.

By calling Jesus the "Lamb of God," John identified Him with the sacrificial lamb: the Passover lamb whose blood delivered Israel, and the lamb of the sin offering. He presented Jesus as the perfect, spotless sacrifice who would take away the sin of the whole world by His death.

(b) Two ways in which this description is significant to Christians

1. It points to Jesus as the sacrifice for sin - just as a lamb was offered to atone for sin, Jesus, the sinless Lamb, died on the cross to take away the sins of all who believe, reconciling humanity to God.
2. It fulfils Old Testament sacrifice and offers universal salvation - Jesus is the true Passover Lamb whose blood delivers believers from death and judgement, showing that salvation through Him is for the whole world, not the Jews only.