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Chapter 10
“Behold the Lamb of God” — Again
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29-36)
Is the Bible a sealed book to you? Do you have great difficulty understanding its doctrine, its precepts, and its ordinances? Many people do. To them it is like a treasure chest with a lock on it. They know that it contains many rich gems. But they have no key to open it.
The Key
There is one key which will open the Book to you and reveal its golden treasures. That key is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Foundation, the Center, and the Mainspring of all Divine Truth. This is what he said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” If we would avoid error in interpreting and applying the Scriptures, we must understand that everything in the Bible speaks of and relates to Christ. Divorce any doctrine from Christ and that doctrine becomes heresy. Divorce any precept from Christ and that precept becomes self-righteous legality.
For example: I have heard men preach on the doctrine of the church as though the church were nothing more than a physical religious organization begun by our Lord during his earthly ministry. But the church is much more. It is the body of Christ. It is a spiritual building, made up of men and women redeemed by Christ and vitally joined to him by faith. Christ is the Foundation upon which the church is built, the Head by which the church is governed, and the Bread upon which the church lives.
I have heard men talk about the kingdom of Christ as though it were nothing more than a continuance, or re-establishment, of the physical kingdom of David. Again the Kingdom of Christ is spiritual. Our Lord entered his kingdom by the door of the cross. And he builds his kingdom upon the cross. Christ sits upon the throne today as a direct result of his finished work at Calvary. Whether we are talking about the kingdom in its present or its future manifestations, being a part of this kingdom is nothing more or less than surrendering to the claims of Christ as Lord and King.
I have even heard men preach on election as though it were nothing more than a logical part of a theological system. Election is a precious truth of Divine Revelation when it is understood properly. Our election is in Christ. God predestinated us to be conformed to the image of Christ. Election is nothing more or less than God loving a people before all worlds., putting them in Christ, and determining to make them like Christ. Election is God choosing to save us rather than damn us, as we justly deserve, for Christ’s sake.
As for the precepts of Scripture, these too are centered in Christ; and obedience to them is motivated by him. Those things that we call “practical godliness” ought to be preached. But they must be motivated by gospel principles. The Christian life is not an extension of the Mosaic law or merely a system of morality. It is obedience to Christ. It is following his example. Wives are to be submissive to their husbands, as the church is submissive to Christ. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. Servants (employees are to serve their masters (employers) “as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” Believing business men are to treat their employees with kindness and generosity, knowing that Christ their Master is in heaven, treating them with kindness and generosity. Believers are to forgive offences against them, even as God for Christ’s sake forgives us. We are to love one another, as Christ loved us. We are to give with a willing heart, generously, even as Christ willingly gave all for us and to us. This kind of service to Christ is free, spontaneous, unconstrained, and motivated by a loving heart. It arises from the knowledge of the gospel.
I know that these are only a few of the doctrines and precepts of the Bible. But they will suffice to illustrate my point. Christ is the key to sacred Scriptures. Every doctrine of the Bible must be understood and taught in the light of the gospel. Every precept of godliness must be motivated by gospel principles. We truly preach the whole counsel of God only when we preach it in the light of Christ and him crucified.
The key that opens the treasure chest of Holy Scripture is Christ crucified. If we are to understand the Book of God, we must “Behold the Lamb of God” in it. This is the message of Holy Scripture, the message for which the first Baptist is famous, “Behold the Lamb of God!” I want to do what I can to make everyone who hears my voice, reads what I write, or is in any way influenced by me see that the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God is... · The Subject of Holy Scripture. — The Bible is a “Him Book.” It’s all about him. · The Preacher’s Only Message (1 Corinthians 2:2; 9:16). · The Gospel’s Glorious Revelation. (vv. 31-34; 2 Corinthians 5:16). · The Sinner’s only Hope (1 Timothy 1:1). · The Believer’s only Rule (John 13:15)” · The Worshipper’s only Object (Revelation 4 and 5). · The Embodiment and Glory of the Triune God (vv. 14, 16; Colossians 2:9).
John’s Message
You will notice in the passage before us that this was John’s message on two consecutive days. On the first day John was preaching to a large crowd in the open air in Bethabara beyond Jordan. It was a mixed multitude. Many were believers he had just baptized, young converts at best, many were lost religionists, Pharisees and their disciples, and many more were on their way to hell and were just curious about this strange man who was regarded by all to be a prophet though he was rough as a cob and anything but a stereotypical preacher. On the next day, John was privately instructing two of his disciples. Yet, on both days his message was exactly the same — “Behold the Lamb of God!”
Behold him as the Lamb slain from eternity ( Revelation 13:8), vicariously sacrificed at Calvary (Romans 5:8-10), enthroned in glory to save his people (John 17:2), interceding in heaven for God’s elect (1 John 2:1-2), and coming again to judge the quick and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5; Revelation 6:12-17).
In the previous chapter, I labored the point that this is the universal message of Holy Scripture and the singular message of true gospel preachers. In this chapter I want us to behold the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God again; and I want to make some very practical observations about this message. Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God sacrificed, slain, risen from the dead, and exalted in all his saving efficacy and fulness is the message God has given us to proclaim. Let me give you five reasons why I preach this message exclusively.
Perfect Balance
First, Christ as the Lamb of God is the perfectly balanced message of the gospel. — Every time a man wants to excuse himself for not preaching the gospel or wants to justify his criticisms of those who do, this is the line that is used — “I believe we ought to have a balanced message.” Yet, those who use that line seem to me to always have a lopsided message of works.
Christ as the Lamb of God is the perfectly balanced message of the gospel. When Christ crucified is a preacher’s message, when Christ is all in all in preaching, you have everything in that message. Christ crucified is a message of doctrinal instruction, experimental grace, and practical godliness.
All vital doctrinal instruction is contained in this message. — “Behold the Lamb of God!” That preacher who preaches Christ crucified clearly and constantly gives his people the best possible doctrinal instruction for he proclaims...
If you want a personal, experimental religion, as I do, if you need experimental grace, grace that is felt in the depths of your soul, this is the message that will promote it. — “Behold the Lamb of God!” · Are you vexed with sin? — “Behold the Lamb of God!” · Are you troubled with affliction? — “Behold the Lamb of God!” · Are you in need of comfort? — “Behold the Lamb of God!” · Do you need reviving? — “Behold the Lamb of God!” · Are you fearful about your soul? — “Behold the Lamb of God!” · Are you concerned about the future? — “Behold the Lamb of God!” · If you need instruction in what men call “practical godliness”, you need to hear this message. — “Behold the Lamb of God!” What can be more practical, what can so effectually promote good works, what can be more inspiring to godliness than Christ crucified? Read Titus 2:1-14 and 3:4-8. · Do you want to learn how to give? — “Behold the Lamb of God” (2 Corinthians 8:9). · Do you want to know what kind of father and husband you ought to be? — “Behold the Lamb of God!”
Our Constant Need
Second, Christ must be constantly preached because we need to always have him before our eyes. Christ Jesus as the sin-atoning Lamb of God ought to be the constant and dominate object of every believer’s heart. I know that we live in this world and must, of necessity, give thought and consideration to many things. But the one topic which ought to captivate our hearts and minds is the Lord Jesus Christ, our dear Redeemer (Colossians 3:1-3).
Allow me to paraphrase Psalms 1:1-3 to show you my meaning. — “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in Christ the LORD; and in his Savior doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Great, Ennobling Subject
Third, I preach Christ crucified as the Lamb of God incessantly because Jesus Christ crucified is the greatest, most glorious, and ennobling subject of thought in all the world. I do not claim to be a scholar, or a man of great brilliance. I am neither. But I have done a little reading, and have had a little experience in many things. I have found nothing to compare with Christ crucified. He is the sum of all truth, the essence of all knowledge, the purpose of all creation, the explanation of all providence, the soul of life, the light of light, the heaven of heaven, and the glory of glory! In a word, “Christ is All” (Colossians 3:10-11). C. H. Spurgeon wrote…
“What the hand is to the lute, What the breath is to the flute, What is fragrance to the smell, What the spring is to the well, What the flower is to the bee, That is Jesus Christ to me.
What is the mother to the child, What the guide in pathless wild, What is oil to troubled wave, What is ransom to the slave, What is water to the sea? That is Jesus Christ to me.”
No subject in the world is so vast, so sublime, so elevating as this: — “Behold the Lamb of God!” · Talk of mysteries — Try God incarnate, slain, and glorified! · Talk of romance — Try describing the love of God! · Talk of beauty — Try the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ! · Talk of science — Try the science of substitution, satisfaction, and redemption! · Talk of philosophy — Try the philosophy forgiveness. · Talk of Law — Try justice satisfied with mercy granted at the same time!
Compared with these things, a preacher long ago said, “What are the sciences but human ignorance set forth in order? What are the classics but the choicest of Babel’s jargon compared with his teachings? What are the poets but dreamers, and philosophers but fools in his presence?” Jesus Christ alone is wisdom, beauty, eloquence and power. Compared to Christ crucified, everything else is just contemptible (1 Corinthians 1:17-31).
One Thing Needful
Fourth, I preach Christ as the Lamb of God because he is the one thing needful.
“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
We may forget many things without harm. We may even forget some important things without endangering ourselves or anyone else. But we must have Christ. He is the Bread of life. Without him we cannot live. He is the Water of life. Without him we must die. Christ crucified as the Lamb of God is our faith, our doctrine, and our hope. His blood is the life-blood of true religion. Any other faith is a lifeless, false faith.
Glorifies God
Fifth, I preach Jesus Christ crucified as the Lamb of God for sinners because this message glorifies God. This message, “Behold the Lamb of God,” declares our God to be both a just God and a Savior, and calls sinners to him (Isaiah 45:20-22). Salvation begins in the experience of it with beholding the Lamb (Isaiah 45:22) Salvation is maintained beholding the Lamb (Hebrews 12:1-2). And salvation is consummated and completed beholding the Lamb (1 John 3:2).
“Behold the Lamb of God” with reverence. Lift you eyes up to heaven and behold him now. Trust him. Worship him. Love him. “Behold the Lamb of God” in the blessed ordinances of the gospel, every time a saved sinner is immersed in and rises from the waters of baptism (Matthew 3:13-17) and every time you sit at the Lord’s Table with God’s saints observing together in memory of him who loved us and gave himself for us (1 Corinthians 11:20-26). In our baptism we confess our faith in and union with the Lamb of God in his death, his burial, and his resurrection. In the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper we remember our Savior’s work of redemption, beholding the Lamb of God in the bread that symbolizes his holy body and in the wine that symbolizes his sin-atoning blood. — “Behold the Lamb of God!”
Don Fortner
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