April 11, 2004

THE SPOTLESS LAMB

"You were redeemed. . . with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:18, 19, NIV).

John's portrait of Christ is that of the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29, NKJV). Employing the same imagery the apostle Peter describes Him as the "Lamb... without spot" (1 Peter 1:19, NKJV)--the spotless Lamb.

The figure of a spotless, sacrificial lamb accords with the instruction given in Leviticus 22:12-21 which required that the lamb be free from any physical defect or blemish. The physical perfection of the lamb prefigured the moral perfection of Jesus, the antitypical lamb. Only a spotless lamb could satisfactorily typify the sinless Son of God.

As the spotless Lamb, Christ was the only one worthy to atone for the sins of the world. Only the precious blood of the spotless Lamb of God could satisfy the requirements for the salvation of mankind. Of Christ, it is recorded that "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22, NIV). "His sinless character was the hallmark of His sacrificial ministry, Not one stain of sin was found upon Him... He stood before the world [as] the spotless Lamb of God."--That I May Know Him, p. 67.

Depicting Christ as the perfect, sacrificial lamb, Peter adds that the blood of the spotless Lamb is precious. It is precious because it is the blood of the incarnate Son of God who had not one taint of sin. The Hymn writer expresses it in these words: "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me pure within? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

The spotlessness of the Lamb of God is best expressed in these inspired words: "In all the fullness of His divinity, in all the glory of His spotless humanity, Christ gave Himself for us as a full and free sacrifice."--Faith and Works, p. 85.

My Prayer Today: Lord, because of the perfect sacrifice of the spotless Lamb, I claim Your perfect righteousness. Amen.