Who Is Jesus?
Names and Descriptive Phrases of Jesus - Part 5
By Allan E. McNabb

In this series we’re talking about the names and descriptive phrases identifying Jesus.  Thus far we’ve talked about Jesus as God, our Creator, the impact He has in our lives as the Word, and the Son.

In this article, we talk about Jesus as the Lamb of God.

Jesus, Lamb of God
When Jesus was baptized, John identified Him as the Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29, 36).

The significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God is far reaching, as we discover in this article.  But most significantly, the phrase “Lamb of God” refers to Jesus as the sacrifice for sin, which God provided.

Through Jesus, God reconciled us to Himself by sending Jesus into the world as the propitiation for our sins, thus becoming the Savior of the world (2 Cor. 5:18; 1 Jn. 4:1, 15).

Jesus, Our Passover
The Passover was instituted by God to protect the Jews from the final plague, the death of the firstborn.  A lamb without blemish was killed, and its blood was sprinkled on the doorposts and lintel of the house, which was a sign, whereby God passed over them, and the firstborn of that house lived.

Today, Jesus is our Passover, who was sacrificed for us (1 Cor. 5:7).  Because of His blood, our sins are forgiven, and God does not destroy us with everlasting death – He passes over us.

Jesus, Led To Slaughter
As our Passover, Jesus was led as a sheep to slaughter (Acts 8:32; Is. 53:7).

  • Jesus bore our griefs, and carried our sorrows (Is. 53:4).
  • Jesus was pierced through for our transgressions (Is. 53:5).
  • Jesus was crushed for our iniquities (Is. 53:5).
  • The chastening for our well-being fell upon Jesus (Is. 53:5).
  • By Jesus’ scourging we are healed (Is. 53:5).
  • The Lord caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Jesus (Is. 53:6).
  • Jesus died for us, to whom the stroke was due (Is. 53:8).
  • Jesus bore our iniquities (Is. 53:11).
  • Jesus bore our sins, and interceded for us (Is. 53:12).

If Jesus wouldn’t have been slaughtered as our Passover, we would be punished forever in hell, to repay our debt of sin.

  • “For the wages of sin is death . . .” (Rom. 6:23).
  • “. . . 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 (1 Pet. 2:24).

Washed In Jesus’ Blood
Because of our sins, we must be washed in Jesus’ blood to be saved (Rev. 7:14).

  • “. . . ‘These who are clothed in the white robes. . . .  These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them’” (Rev. 7:13-15).

As a result of being washed in the Jesus’ blood, our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

  • “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain” (Rev. 13:8).
  • “‘He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels’” (Rev. 3:5).

Washed In Jesus’ Blood When Baptized
Jesus’ blood cleanses us from sin.  Therefore, we’re washed in Jesus’ blood when we’re cleansed from sin (1 Jn. 1:7).

People outside of Christ are washed in His blood when they are baptized.

  • “‘Now why do you delay?  Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name’” (Acts 22:16).

As Christians, Jesus blood cleanses us of sin when we repent, confess, and pray for forgiveness.

  • “. . . 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. . . .  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:7-9).
  • “‘Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you’” (Acts 8:22).

Overcome Satan Through Jesus’ Blood
Because Jesus is the Lamb of God, we overcome Satan through His blood.

  • “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death” (Rev. 12:11).

It’s possible to overcome Satan through Jesus’ blood because of Christ’s power, as He rules upon the throne of God.

  • “. . . ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing’” (Rev. 5:12).
  • “From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty” (Rev. 19:15).

Jesus Guides Us To Heaven
As the Lamb of God, Jesus guides us to the springs of the water of life, which are in heaven.

  • “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore . . . for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life . . . " (Rev. 7:16-17).

To Be Continued
In future articles, we’ll explore more names and descriptive phrases of Jesus.