Follow the Lamb - 21 Day Study on the Book of RevelationПримерок

Day 7: The Lamb

Scripture Reading:

‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’

- John 1.29 (NRSV)

The Revelation gives us lots to think about in terms of Babylon, the Dragon and the two Beasts. But these are not the central figures in the drama John presents to us. The main character is the Lamb, Jesus Christ himself, as indeed, he should be the main focus in the life of each of his followers. The Lamb morphs out of the Lion, the Lion of Judah, just as Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels tell us that Jesus was a descendant of the tribe of Judah. John contrasts the horror of the evil of a Babylon in the power of the Dragon, with the kind of authority which the Lamb has. The Lamb has been God for all time, has spoken creation into being, was incarnate on earth not ‘to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him’ (John 3.17 NRSV).

The Lamb has a sword, but it is a sword which is the Word of God, a sword coming from his mouth. The Lamb has wounds from where he was slain. His power, his authority, comes from his love, through which he laid down his life so that each and every one of us has the opportunity to take up his offer for the forgiveness of sins and to be at peace with God in eternal life.

Christians are indeed people who follow the Lamb. The Revelation shows us why we follow (Jesus is Lord, he is worthy) and how we are to follow by modelling our lives and being on the characteristics we see in him. Like the Lamb, we may be called on to suffer for our faith, we are called to be faithful, to be witnesses, to rebut violence and evil with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6.17 NRSV), and we are to speak out bravely the truth of the love of God, and welcome the world to repentance and forgiveness. The Lamb is the first fruit of the resurrection to eternal life, and we, too can look forward to our own resurrection and standing in the presence of God.

Some things to think about:

1. As you read the Revelation, what is one characteristic of the Lamb (Jesus) that surprises you?
2. Why do you think John saw Jesus as a lamb?
3. Do you find it easier to follow a leader who is more like a lamb or a lion? Why?

Prayer:

Risen Lord, I thank you that you love me. I thank you that you died for me. Please strengthen me to follow you faithfully in my times of rejoicing and troubles. In Jesus’ name. Amen.