O Lord Jesus, Lamb of God

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29

I am grateful for beautiful hymns like this one that remind us just how steep a price was paid for our sin. And I am more grateful for Jesus, who obediently did the will of His Father in going to the cross on my behalf.

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

Jesus bore a heavy load and suffered anguish and ridicule in order that I may be reconciled to God. Jesus, fully God, was also fully human. He had a physical body that endured extreme torment and beating even before being hung on the cross.

Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him. Luke 22:63

Jesus, being fully God, could have stopped this at any time. He didn't. He obeyed the will of His Father.

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

The people in the crowd that day did not acknowledge that Pilate was offering up to them the King of Kings - God made flesh. The people had determined that Jesus was to be crucified. Pilate himself could find no fault in Jesus, but the the rabble-rousing crowd had made up their mind.

Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in Him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?" So they cried out again, saying, "Not this Man, but Barabbas." Now Barabbas was a robber. John 18:37-40

The people would rather have a convicted robber released back into their midst than Jesus, the King of the Jews! As we read the story now, it seems so ridiculous. Jesus could have easily traded places with Barabbas; He was God. Instead, He obeyed.

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

Jesus went to the cross to bear my sin. Jesus wasn't paying for His own sin - He had none. He was paying for mine, and yours. He was put on the cross between two convicted criminals, and died just like they did. He died not to pay for His crime, but ours.

Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour And he said to the Jews, "Behold, your King!" So they cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified. They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, "JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS." John 19:14-19

Jesus could have come down off that cross. He could have stopped this "madness" of the people at any time. But He obeyed.

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

Jesus' death on the cross means that I am free from death. My body of sin is healed by the wounds that He suffered on that tree. He died so that I might live; He was wounded and I am healed.

While being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:23-24

His death on the cross made the way for us to be washed clean of sin. His blood that flowed from that tree washes the sin away and makes us clean and whole.

If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. I John 1:7

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

Thank you Lord Jesus, for Your obedience to God. For humbling Yourself, even to the point of death on a cross!

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

O Lord Jesus, Lamb of God
Words by R. Michael Cullinan

O Lord Jesus, Lamb of God,
Bearing such a heavy load;
Pain and suffering was Your fate—
Anguish, ridicule and hate.

Crown of thorns and staff of spite,
Must you mock our Sovereign’s might?
Know you not whom Pilate brings?
Jesus Christ, the King of kings!

Road of sorrow, lead the way
To redeeming love today.
Let me see my Savior’s face;
Let me taste this gift of grace.

Tree of anguish, bear my sin;
Heart of Jesus, let me in.
O Lord, may Your wounds make whole
Body, spirit and my soul.

Cross of triumph lifted high;
Christ becomes the victory:
Priest and sacrifice today,
Washing all our guilt away.