Good Friday Service – Behold The Lamb Of God– John 1:29

Today, April 18, 2025, Good Friday, Pastor Eric stepped up to the pulpit. He began his sermon, opting for a lighthearted opening before delving into the deeper meaning of the day. “Brothers and sisters”, he said with gentle humour, “This morning started in a rather…usual way. As I often do, I was listening to some worship music on YouTube, striving to clear my mind and enter into the presence of God. The music was lifting my spirits, filling me with a sense of peace and gratitude, when – BAM! – a Cadbury commercial began to play and distracted me.” Pastor Eric continued, “And there it was, in all its gloriously tempting detail: perfectly formed Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies looking utterly irresistible. I found myself completely captivated. I started looking at the chocolate, thinking, ‘Gee, that chocolate looks good! Maybe I should treat myself to some chocolate today.’” Pausing and letting the image sink in, he continued. “It didn’t quite register at first, but then, I realized what was going on. Of course, they are advertising chocolate this weekend! It’s no coincidence. The chocolate industry knows exactly what it’s doing. Chocolate is incredibly lucrative for them at this time of year.” Pastor Eric’s voice became more reflective. Looking at his congregation, he said, “And I suspect many of us are planning on indulging this weekend. Many are going to be buying Easter eggs, a bunny, and all that goes with it.” He continued, saying, “I hate to break the news to you today, but Easter is not about a bunny. It’s not about sugary treats and egg hunts. Easter is about something far more profound, something eternal. Easter is not about a bunny; Easter is about a lamb, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice redeems us all.

Read John 1:29, Revelation 5:6, Isaiah 53:7 and 1 Corinthians 5:7

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. John’s role wasn’t simply to announce someone new, but to pave the way for the One who would ultimately redeem humanity. He identified and introduced the Messiah to the world. He didn’t offer a simple greeting. Instead, he proclaimed as recorded in John 1:29, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” John could have chosen any number of titles to describe Jesus, titles that would have resonated with the expectations and hopes of the Jewish people. He could have proclaimed, “Look, this is your Rabbi, the esteemed teacher who will enlighten you with profound wisdom.” Or perhaps, “This is your Saviour, the One who will deliver you from Roman oppression.” He could have declared, “This is the Messiah, the promised King of David’s line, who will restore Israel to its former glory!” All of these titles would have carried weight and meaning. But instead, he chose, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Why a lamb? Why didn’t he choose a more readily understood title? Let us explore the deep meaning hidden in the symbolism of the image.

The Imagery of the Lamb

The imagery of the lamb is seen throughout Scripture. The apostle John, in the book of Revelation, experiences a powerful vision, and his description of this vision in Revelation 5:6 is particularly striking. He writes, “Then I saw a Lamb looking as if it had been slain…” The apostle John clearly understood that this vision was about Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice. Furthermore, the prophecy of Isaiah, penned hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, foreshadows this very image. In Isaiah 53:7, the prophet writes, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter…” This verse paints a vivid picture of Christ, a suffering servant, willingly submitting to his fate, just as a lamb is led silently to the slaughter. These words spoken centuries before, resonate powerfully with the life and death of Jesus, emphasizing the profound significance of the “Lamb of God” title and highlighting Jesus’ sacrificial role in the salvation of humanity. He was the ultimate sacrifice, foretold and fulfilled. The apostle Paul, however, doesn’t just portray Jesus as a lamb. He specifically identifies Jesus with the profound significance of the Passover Lamb. This isn’t just a simple comparison – it carries deep historical and theological significance. In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul declares, “…for Christ, our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed”.

Understanding the Significance of the Lamb

So, you may be here today, drawn by curiosity, or perhaps you’re exploring the Christian faith for the very first time. You may be asking yourself, “Why a lamb? What’s the significance? What’s the big deal about this particular animal? Why not a bird soaring in the sky? Why not an eagle, symbolizing strength and power? Why not a more familiar creature – a cow, a horse, or even a giraffe? Why this seemingly humble, gentle creature to represent Jesus?” Understanding the significance of the lamb is absolutely crucial because it unlocks a profound understanding of the very heart of our faith. It helps us answer the important question: “Why was it necessary for Jesus to endure the suffering and ultimately die on the cross?” Why is today, Good Friday, a day of sorrow, actually deemed good? The answer lies in the symbolism of the lamb. Consider the weight of this: Good Friday, a day etched in history with the sacrifice of the innocent, the ultimate act of love and redemption. It’s easy to rush through it, eager for the joy of Easter Sunday. But it’s essential that we pause today, that we remember all that Jesus has willingly done for us. We cannot truly appreciate the heights of Easter Sunday without first acknowledging the profound depths of Good Friday. Someone said, “Good Friday is when the price was paid, but Resurrection Sunday is when we got the receipt.” Think about that image for a moment: a completed transaction, a debt paid in full. But who holds that receipt! God the Father received the receipt! The Resurrection of Jesus is the confirmation that the sacrifice was fully accepted, that the debt was completely paid. It’s God’s “Amen” to the act of salvation. So, yes, this weekend is not just any weekend. It’s not just a holiday on the calendar. This weekend is truly a wonderful weekend. It’s a profoundly special weekend, a time to draw near to God, to reflect on the immensity of His love and the sacrifice He willingly made. It’s a time to recognize the profound gift of forgiveness and the opportunity for a renewed connection with our Creator.

The Challenge of Communicating the Gospel

Pastor Eric said with conviction, “The challenge before us is this: how do we truly communicate the gospel to a world that’s already heard the words? We interact with non-Christians every day – our co-workers in the break room, those family members who raise a skeptical eyebrow, our neighbours tending their gardens, even the person we strike up a conversation with for the very first time – and we share the core message: that God loves them with such an immense love that He sacrificed His own Son, Jesus, on the cross to atone for their sins.” Often those who have some kind of religious background, even if it’s just a faint echo from their childhood, will say, ‘Yes, I know. I’ve heard this before.’ They can even rattle off the answer, but some people don’t fully understand its significance.

Pastor Eric then raised critical questions: Why a lamb? Why a cross? Why wasn’t there another way to pay my penalty? If God is all-powerful, all-knowing, couldn’t He have devised a less violent solution? Why wasn’t there another, perhaps simpler, way to pay my penalty, to absolve me of my wrongdoing? Why go through this complex, almost barbaric ritual of a sacrificial lamb? Why couldn’t we simply be forgiven?

Read Hebrews 9:22 and Romans 6:23

To address these deep-rooted questions, Pastor Eric began by laying the foundation built upon Scripture: the necessity of Jesus’ death to satisfy the justice of God. He anchored his explanation in the very beginning of humanity, recalling God’s explicit warning to the first couple, Adam and Eve. In the beginning, God said to Adam and Eve that if they sinned, if they ate from the forbidden tree, they would die. This wasn’t a suggestion; it was an official order. Therefore, death was the sentence. Death was the penalty for such disobedience and sin. Pastor Eric explained that God, being just, could not simply overlook this transgression. The implications were profound and required a solution that aligned with God’s righteousness. So, in order for atonement to take place, debt had to be paid. Death is required for the atonement of sin. This isn’t random, but a key part of God’s fair system. Pastor Eric turned to Scripture, specifically Hebrews 9:22, to emphasize this. “According to the Law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” He then asked the central question: “Why this requirement for blood? Because justice demands death for sin.” Pastor Eric then highlighted the apostle Paul’s statement in Romans 6:23: “The wages of sin is death.” He then elaborated on Paul’s words, explaining that the apostle Paul wasn’t just making an observation, he was stating a fundamental truth. Sin has a price, and that price is death. It’s a debt owed to God’s perfect holiness. He then went on to unpack the diverse meaning of ‘blood’. He said, blood represents life, but it also represents purity and a covenant. It was meant to purify and sanctify the people that were tainted by sin. The blood was not merely a substance; it was a powerful symbol of redemption. The need for this redemption is necessary because people are inherently sinful.

Simply being born into this world, we are already burdened with a sinful nature passed down from Adam and Eve. This inherited sin isn’t just a tendency towards wrongdoing; it’s the basis for our sinful actions. Our parents, who also have this inherited nature, further contribute to this pattern. This built-in sin makes us more likely to commit sins that further separate us from God. This inherent sinfulness creates a profound need for redemption. We need something to break us free from this cycle of sin and death. It’s not just about acting differently; a fundamental change in our being is necessary. We need a fresh start, a pure way of being, untouched by the sin we’re all born with. The first Adam could not provide this solution, because Adam himself was flawed and passed on his sin nature to the world. He was part of the problem, not the solution. This is where the second Adam, Jesus Christ, comes in. Through faith in Jesus, we are offered the chance to be reborn in righteousness, clothed in the perfection of Christ, who is perfect, sinless, a spotless lamb. Pastor Eric further explained that the salary of sin, referring to the consequences and ultimate punishment of sin, is not just a feeling of guilt but also a separation from God, resulting in both physical and spiritual death. This split means we need to fix things and close the chasm sin caused. Old Testament animal sacrifices were a preview and a way to pay for sin, and begin the process of restoring this broken relationship.

Then came the death of animals. The death of an animal, often a lamb but sometimes a goat, wasn’t simply an act of killing; it was a profound exchange, a transfer of the burden of sin from the individual or community onto the innocent animal. This sacrifice served as a symbol of the wages of sin – death. The priest, acting as an intermediary between God and the people, played a crucial role. He wouldn’t perform the sacrifice for the community alone; he would first address his own transgressions, recognizing that he himself required purification. After addressing his own shortcomings, he would then prepare to officiate for the entire community. The central act in the ritual was the laying on of hands. The priest would place his hands upon the head of the lamb or goat. It was a symbolic act, representing the transferring of sin. The priest, acting on behalf of the community, would transfer their collective guilt onto the animal. The lamb, now laden with the sins of the community, would not be immediately slaughtered. Instead, it would be driven out into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the collective guilt and impurities. The act of banishing the lamb represented the complete removal of sin from the community, casting it away and severing its connection to the people. The wilderness, often seen as a place of desolation and separation from God’s presence, served as the ultimate destination for the community’s sins, a place where they could no longer harm or contaminate. Then the animal was ultimately offered as a burnt offering, a sacrifice consumed by fire upon an altar. The smoke rising to the heavens was interpreted as an offering to God, a testament to the people’s remorse and a plea for forgiveness. This final act completed the process of atonement, signifying the acceptance of the sacrifice and the cleansing of sin.

This practice was often formalized into annual events. For example, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, heads of families would participate in this ritual. Families would journey to the designated place of sacrifice, bring their own lamb to be consecrated and offered to God. They would gather, each family member placing their hands upon the lamb, transferring their individual and collective sins onto the chosen animal. The participation in the ritual reinforced the individual’s responsibility for sin and the community’s effort to seek forgiveness. The subsequent sacrifice of the lamb served as the culminating act of atonement, ensuring the cleansing and renewal of the community for the coming year. The cycle continued, an unending loop of transgression and ritual. Again and again, they offered sacrifices, driven by the burden of their perceived sins. This was not a single event, but a common practice, a cornerstone of their spiritual lives. This pattern persists even to this day. Those who do not acknowledge Jesus as the ultimate and final sacrifice, the Lamb of God offered once and for all, find themselves still engaged in these rituals. They are still seeking atonement through other means, other efforts to bridge the gap between themselves and God. The somber reality is that through the centuries, countless lambs – literally millions upon millions – were offered as sacrifices, a repeated attempt to cleanse and atone for their sins.

Read Exodus 12:13

A little later in history, the Israelites found themselves trapped in bondage in Egypt for 400 years. Generations were born, lived, and died under the weight of Pharaoh’s oppression, their hopes dwindling with each passing year. Yet, God, in His infinite mercy, delivered his people from their suffering, He envisioned not only their release from slavery but also their establishment in a land flowing with abundance, a land He had meticulously prepared for them – the Promised Land. To accomplish this monumental task, God chose a man named Moses. He would become the instrument through which God would demonstrate His immense power and execute His righteous judgment upon the Egyptians who refused to heed His warnings. Through a series of ten increasingly devastating plagues, God dismantled the power and authority of Pharaoh. These plagues weren’t merely random acts of destruction; they were targeted demonstrations of God’s sovereignty over the Egyptian gods, exposing the falsehood of their worship. The culmination of these divine judgments was the tenth and final plague, a deeply profound and symbolic event: the death of the firstborn son in every Egyptian household. This served as a stark reminder of the preciousness of life and the consequences of defying God. However, amidst this impending doom, God provided a path of protection and deliverance for His faithful people. He instructed the Israelites to participate in a ritual that would become the cornerstone of their faith and a powerful testament to God’s saving grace. God commanded each Israelite family to choose a spotless lamb. At twilight, the lamb was to be sacrificed, its life offered as a substitute. But the act of sacrifice was only the beginning. The Israelites were then instructed to collect the blood of the lamb and apply it to the top and sides of the doorposts of their homes. This act of obedience and faith transformed their dwellings into sanctuaries, marked by a divine sign. As God explained in Exodus 12:13, “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” This passage speaks of the powerful act of salvation, drawing a direct parallel between the Passover story and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It transports us back to ancient Egypt. God, in His mercy, provided a way for His chosen people to escape the devastating plagues. The sign was the blood of a sacrificed lamb applied to the doorposts of their homes. This wasn’t as suggestion; it was a direct command, a tangible demonstration of faith and obedience. This act served as a promise. It was God saying, “Because of this, because of this visible display of faith, destruction will pass over you.” The blood isn’t simply a marker; it’s a testament to sacrifice, obedience, and faith. It’s a symbol of a covenant, a promise between God and His people. God didn’t say that it depended on who was in the house with them or how many people were inside. The only thing that will spare them is the blood of the Lamb. God’s grace reaches all, regardless of our place in society, our family ties, or our influence. It’s the same thing with Jesus. What gets us into heaven is not who we are, what we’ve done, or what we didn’t do.” It’s not about earning God’s favour. It’s about accepting the grace He freely gives.

Pastor Eric asked the congregation, “Do you know what gets us into heaven?” It’s the sign. It’s the blood. Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites, the blood of Jesus serves as the ultimate sign of God’s covenant with humanity. It’s a covenant built on forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life. Will God see the blood of Christ that makes us righteous? Jesus offers us grace through His death. But we have to reach out, accept it, and let it shape our lives. That’s what saves us. Salvation is not a process of earning favour; it’s a gift freely offered through the blood of Christ. It’s about recognizing our need for a saviour, acknowledging our inability to attain righteousness on our own, and trusting in the power of Christ’s sacrifice to cleans us from sin and grant us eternal life. The blood of Jesus is not merely a symbol; it’s the very foundation of our salvation. It’s the bridge across the abyss of sin, connecting us to God and offering us the promise of eternal life. It’s a testament to God’s boundless love and unwavering commitment to redeeming humanity. It’s a call to faith, repentance, and a life lived in gratitude for His ultimate sacrifice.

The message of many religions often centres on a transactional relationship with God: perform good deeds and hope that God deems you worthy of entrance into heaven. Many think they must work for salvation, but Christianity says that grace, not effort, is the way to redemption. It isn’t about compiling a list of good works to impress a celestial gatekeeper. It’s not about trying to earn salvation through personal effort and moral accomplishments. Instead, Christianity states that salvation is a gift, freely offered and received through faith in Jesus Christ. The good works that flow from a believer’s life are not the cause of salvation, but rather the result of it. They are an overflow of gratitude, a natural consequence of being transformed by the love and grace of God. It’s this radical acceptance of God’s grace, this profound understanding of being loved unconditionally, that motivates believers to live lives of service and devotion. He willingly died so that we might live. In response, we genuinely desire to live a life that honours Jesus’ sacrifice, to reflect the love and compassion that we have so freely received.

Read Mark 14:12

So, the question is: Do I possess the blood? Have I earnestly applied the blood of the Lamb upon the doorposts of my heart? We might think that was Passover, a historical event that took place in Old Testament days. But the Scriptures reveal that many of the rituals, the festivals, the celebrations of the Old Testament were not simply isolated events; they were shadows of greater things to come. These shadows point to what would be unveiled in the person of Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb is a shadow of Christ. In fact, Mark 14:12 provides a link between the Passover celebration and the crucifixion of Jesus. “On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” The disciples’ question about preparing the Passover meal points directly to the Last Supper. There’s often debate and discussion among theologians about the precise nature of this meal: was it the Passover meal? The passage in Mark suggests it was. Regardless of the specific details, the timing of the Last Supper during Passover is undeniable. And if it was the time of Passover, then what better day for Jesus to die than on Passover itself? The symbolism is incredibly powerful. Just as the Passover lamb was sacrificed to save the Israelites from death, Jesus, through His crucifixion, becomes the ultimate Passover Lamb, offering salvation and redemption to all who believe.

Read Isaiah 53:5 and Revelation 12:11

N.T. Wright captures this connection, stating that, “Just as the blood of the Passover lamb spared the Israelites, so the blood of Christ spares us from death and separation from God.” This is the heart of the gospel message: Jesus, the Lamb of God, offers Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The blood that He shed on the cross isn’t merely a historical event; it’s a powerful symbol and a living reality for those who believe. By consciously applying His blood upon the doorposts of our hearts – opening our lives and accepting His sacrifice – we are, in essence, placing ourselves under His divine protection. This is symbolic act of faith, acknowledging our need for redemption and embracing the forgiveness offered through Christ. God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, sees this act of faith as a sign. It’s a declaration of our trust in Him, our recognition of our sinfulness, and our acceptance of His provision for salvation. When God sees the blood over our lives, symbolized by our faith and repentance, He promises to pass over us. This passing over is an act of mercy, a reprieve from the judgment we deserve. It’s protection from judgment itself, particularly the Great White Throne Judgment, a future event described in Revelation where all humanity will be judged. The blood of Christ offers protection from the wages of sin. It’s a shield against the curse that hangs over humanity, a curse rooted in our rebellion and inherent sinfulness.

Because of the precious, life-giving blood of Jesus Christ, a profound transformation awaits us. It’s not merely a promise of simple survival in this challenging world, but an assurance of a life overflowing with abundance – abundance in joy, in peace, in provision, and in purpose, all made possible because of the blood. Jesus’ blood brings healing, not just to the physical body, but to the deepest wounds of the heart and spirit. We claim the ancient promise, “By his stripes, we are healed”, a testament to the suffering Christ endured so that we might be made whole, free from the chains of sickness and disease. Victory is ours, purchased and secured by Jesus’ shed blood. Revelation 12:11 declares, “…they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb. By His blood, the angel of death passes over you. And we, who were once marked by sin, are now marked by His love, forever shielded by the ultimate wrath that was once due to us.” This is not just a historical victory; it is a present reality, a weapon of divine power against the forces of darkness that seek to enslave us. The blood of Jesus empowers us to overcome temptation, to break free from addictions, and to stand firm against the spiritual battles we face.

Read Hebrews 9:12 and 9:22

Hebrews 9:12 declares a profound truth, “He entered once and for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”

Under the old covenant, priests would offer sacrifices of goats and calves in the temple, attempting to atone for the sins of the people. These sacrifices were a temporary covering that had to be repeated year after year. But Jesus, the ultimate High Priest, didn’t offer a sacrifice; He offered Himself, His very own blood, as the perfect and final offering. By willingly dying on the cross, Jesus absorbs the full force of God’s righteous judgment that we, as sinners, deserve. He spares you, and He spares me, from a judgment that leads to an eternal death. This eternal death signifies an eternal separation from God – also known as hell – a place characterized by immense sorrow, represented by the weeping, and agonizing regret, and by the gnashing of teeth. And what secures our salvation, this escape from eternal separation? It’s important to understand that it is not rooted in our own efforts, our own merits, or our adherence to a particular religious institution. The passage doesn’t say it’s about what denomination you belong to, or the number of good works you’ve accumulated. They are not the source of salvation. Instead, the sign that spares us from judgment is the blood of the Lamb – the blood of Jesus – applied over our lives. It’s a spiritual covering, a divine protection against the wrath that our sin deserves. It’s the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross 2,000 years ago, a once-for-all sacrifice that holds the power to cleanse us completely. Nothing else can accomplish this. All the other things – our acts of service, our commitment to community, our efforts to live ethically – they are undeniably nice and important. They have their place in the life of a Christian. They demonstrate our love for God and our desire to reflect His character. But to be saved, to receive that eternal redemption, requires blood. It requires the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. “There is no forgiveness,” the Bible tells us, “without the shedding of blood.” This underlines the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of God’s provision. Jesus, our spotless Lamb, willingly offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, bridging the gap between humanity an a holy God, and offering us the incredible gift of eternal life. He is our Lamb…our Passover Lamb. This is the reason Good Friday is, indeed, Good Friday. It’s not a celebration of suffering, but a recognition of the victory won through suffering. It’s a day to reflect on the immense love that motivated such a sacrifice. It’s a day to stand in awe of the grace that extends to us, undeserving as we are. But understanding this historical event, acknowledging this theological truth, is not enough. It requires something more, something deeply personal. It requires that each and every one of us make one important decision.

You may be here at church this morning, perhaps drawn by curiosity, or perhaps because someone invited you to come, a friend, a family member extending a hand. Maybe your parents, with their love and concern, encouraged you to be here. Maybe you are here because someone brought you here, offering you a ride. Perhaps this is your very first time here, your first encounter with this message. Regardless of the path that led you here, we all have a question to answer. Is the blood of the Lamb applied on the doorpost of our heart? Have we opened our heart to receive the gift of grace, to accept the forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ?

You may be here at church, surrounded by fellow believers, or you may be listening online, and you may know, in your mind, what Jesus did. You may be familiar with the story, the Scriptures, the sermons. But knowledge alone is insufficient. The question remains: have you allowed that knowledge to penetrate your heart, to transform your life, to cover you with the protective blood of the Lamb? Have you truly invited Jesus into your heart?

As R.C. Sproul states in The Truth of the Cross, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. This is not because blood has some magical quality, but because a life has been given in exchange for the lives of those who have sinned against God”. The act of Jesus Christ willingly sacrificing Himself on the cross satisfied the justice of God. Justice was served, and through faith in Jesus Christ, the possibility of forgiveness and eternal life was made available to all. It is finished!

Watch the video here.