John 1,29-34.
The lamb mentioned in today’s gospel could refer to the Paschal lamb, (Exodus 12), but more than likely it points to the lamb referred to in the Suffering Servant Song (Isaiah 53,7). The choice of Isaiah 49, (a poem about the Suffering Servant), for today’s first reading seems to indicate that the Church wishes us today to think of the lamb in Isaiah 53. That Lamb (Isaiah 53,7) to with which the Suffering Servant is compared is an obedient lamb which is led to be slaughtered without resistance of any kind. The function which he performs is to take on/carry the sin of the people, (53,6), as this Lamb, Jesus, takes away the sin of the world, i.e heals the sinful condition of the world. The phrase “Lamb of God” occurs only here in John’s gospel, but frequently in the Apocalypse referring to Jesus the triumphant Suffering Servant of God.
John goes on to speak about someone who is coming after him but who is superior to him in rank because he pre-existed him. According to Luke’s gospel, John the Baptist should know who Jesus was. So, perhaps here, not knowing him, (mentioned twice in this short passage), indicates that John did not know that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, until his baptism.
John’s Baptism was a baptism with water which cleansed, washed, and purified, but the baptism Jesus received was an anointing with the Holy Spirit. At Jesus’ baptism, John had seen the Spirit coming down upon him like a dove- a resonance of Gen1,2- and resting on him. The resting indicates that the Spirit became a permanent effect of Jesus’ baptism.
Jesus, having received a special outpouring of the Spirit at his baptism, will baptise with the Holy Spirit himself. John has seen and witnessed that Jesus is the chosen Son of God. Israel of old spoke and thought of herself as the son of God, but John now knows that Jesus is the only real Son of God.
In every Mass we say, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the Supper of the Lamb.” Jesus is the meek lamb (of Isaiah 53,7), the Paschal Lamb who was slaughtered (Ex 12-14), and whose blood saves us and unites us with God and one another in an eternal covenant of love (Ex.24). He is the Victorious Lamb enthroned in glory in the Apocalypse (5,8,12-13; 7,9; 15,3; 21,1-3). He is all these through his saving death and resurrection. “This is my body which will be given for you.” (Lk 22,9; I Cor 11,24). “This my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mt 26,28; Mk 12,24; Lk 22,30).
Like John the Baptist of old, it is our privilege now, to point others towards the Lamb of God, present with us in the Eucharist.
To call Jesus the Lamb of God is a metaphor? What other metaphors would be appropriate for him and meaningful for a modern enquirer about Jesus? Have you a favourite metaphor/image for Jesus and what does it say to you.?
Have you ever introduced somebody to a knowledge of the Lord?
Have you ever told somebody who the Lord is for you? What he has done for you ; how he has helped you?
Father Geoff O’Grady