01.02.02.22. CHRIST A LAMB

CHRIST A LAMB "Behold the Lamb of God!" John 1:36.

"As a Lamb without blemish," &c., 1 Peter 1:19.

"I beheld, and lo! a Lamb stood upon Mount Zion" &c., Revelation 14:1. IN the two first texts the Greek word is amnov, compounded of a privativum, and mnov, robur, which signifies strength: that is, not strong. The article ’o (as Erasmus hath observed out of Chrysostom and Theophylact) is emphatical, distinguishing him from the typical Lamb; and denotes also relation, for it puts in mind of the prophecies of Isaiah and others, used Acts 8:32. The word in Revelation 14:1, is arnion, which is a diminutive of arnov, and signifies Agnellus, a little Lamb, [1] tener adhuc et immaturus, tender, &c. John 21:15.

[1] Gent. in Harm.

How, and in what respects Christ may be called a Lamb, [2] follows.

[2] Christus vocatur Agnus propter immolationem pro peccatis totius mundi factam, quam ut typi præfigurarunt Agni in V. T. immolati; tum propter mansuetudinem, patientiam, innocentiam, beneficentiam, &c. Glassius.

METAPHOR

I. The Lamb is a very innocent and harmless creature. Bullinger calls it a symbol of innocency. It doth no wrong or injury to any.

PARALLEL

I. JESUS CHRIST is of a sweet, quiet, and harmless nature and disposition: "Such an High-priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners," &c. Hebrews 7:26.

METAPHOR II. The Lamb is made a prey of, and often worried by dogs, wolves, and other evil beasts.

PARALLEL

II. The Lord Jesus was preyed upon by devils and wicked men, who continually worried him, like hungry and blood-thirsty wolves, lions, and ravening beasts, whilst he was upon the earth, Matthew 4:2-3.

METAPHOR III. The Lamb is a meek and patient creature, bearing wrongs, not seeking revenge upon them that strike and abuse him.

PARALLEL

III. The Lord Jesus with a meek and patient spirit bore all those vile and grievous wrongs, contradictions of sinners, and horrid blasphemies, in the days of his flesh, without seeking the least revenge upon them. Austin saith, he is compared to a Lamb because of his mildness, Hebrews 12:3; Matthew 26:53.

METAPHOR IV. The Lamb is silent, when brought to the slaughter, doth not cry, complain, nor strive, as other creatures do.

PARALLEL

IV. The Lord Christ was silent, when he was led to be crucified: "He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth," Isaiah 53:7. "He did not cry, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street."

METAPHOR V. The Lamb is a lovely and very delightful creature; hence Uriah’s wife is compared to it, 2 Samuel 12:3-4.

PARALLEL

V. Christ is the delight of the Father, very lovely in the eyes of saints and angels; nay, what was said of Titus Vespasion, may fitly be spoken of Christ, "He is the delight of mankind," Proverbs 8:30; Isaiah 42:1.

METAPHOR

VI. The Lamb is a contented creature; let the shepherd put it into what pasture he please, it grumbles not, but seems very well satisfied.

PARALLEL

VI. Christ was abundantly satisfied to become any thing, and do whatever the will of his Father was, though it was to be abased so low, as to be born of a poor virgin, to live in a mean condition, and to have nowhere to lay his head, whilst he abode in this howling wilderness, Hebrews 10:7; John 10:15, John 10:17-18; Php 2:7-8.

METAPHOR

VII. The Lamb is a clean beast, whose flesh God appointed for food, and the flesh of no beast, is more generally prized, especially at its first coming, than Lamb.

PARALLEL

VII. Christ was ordained of God to be the food of our souls; and there is no meat so sweet; or is so much prized by the godly, especially when they first receive him by faith, as this Lamb. "My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed," John 6:55. Whosoever hath fed spiritually on Christ, he desireth no better dainties.

METAPHOR

VIII. The Lamb was appointed under the law for sacrifice, it was to be taken out of the flock, to be severed from the rest, to be killed a he-Lamb, and without spot, was to be offered up to make an atonement, and the blood to be sprinkled, &c.

PARALLEL

VIII. Christ, the Lamb of God, is our only sacrifice. He was taken from among men, separated from sinners, truly man. He was a Lamb without blemish, no spot or stain of sin could be found in him. He was slain or offered up upon the cross, to make an atonement for the sins of his people; and his blood must be sprinkled or applied to our consciences by faith, Hebrews 8:13, 1 Pet. 17, 18, 19, and Hebrews 12:24.

METAPHOR

IX. Lambs are very profitable creatures, they enrich their owners; their fleece and skins are good for clothing. Also the[3] money of the ancient Patriarchs was called a Lamb, because the figure of a Lamb was on it. Abraham bought a field for an hundred pieces of silver or Lambs.

[3] xxx xx Chesitah, Nummus, sexta pars Denarii, Genesis 33:19; Job 42:11; Joshua 24:32. Nummus agni imagine signatus, doth signify both money and a Lamb. Leigh. Crit. Sac.

PARALLEL

IX. Christ enriches all that have interest in him, or can lay claim to this Lamb; and his righteousness is for our clothing. No money will pass for current (as it were) with God, but Jesus Christ. He is the saint’s treasure; their estate and inheritance lies in Christ:"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness," &c. Isaiah 45:24; Jeremiah 23:6; Jeremiah 33:16; Revelation 19:8, 1 Corinthians 1:30.

METAPHOR

X. The Lamb is a small creature to other beasts, therefore the Hebrews call them XXXXX. Aben-Ezra apud Jobum, tenellam Pecudem, vel Agnellum interpretatur:[4] a small sort of cattle, or diminutive Lamb.

[4] Leigh Crit. Sacr. Job 42:12

PARALLEL

X. Christ made himself of no reputation. In respect of his humanity, he is called a worm, as annotators expound that in Psalms 22:6, "I am a worm, and no man, a reproach of men, and despised of the people." He was small and despised in the eyes of the great heroes of the earth.

There are several great disparities between Christ and a Lamb, but we shall pass by them, and only take notice of two or three.

INFERENCES

I. IF the Lord Jesus was such a harmless, innocent, silent, and delightful Lamb, how doth this set out and aggravate the horrid sin of the Jews, and others, who put him to death!

II. And how doth it magnify the love and pity of God to us, that he should be pleased to part with this precious Lamb out of his bosom, to be made a sacrifice for our sins!

III. From hence also we may learn how to live in the world, not to be high-minded, and seek great things for ourselves. "Let the same mind be in you, that was also in Christ Jesus," &c. Php 2:5.

IV. Let us make him our example, when under suffering, and in the hands of wicked men, "Who when he was reviled, reviled not again;" let us not seek revenge, nor render evil for evil to any man, Romans 12:19; 1 Peter 2:23.

V. Moreover, let us be contented, as he was, whatever it pleaseth the Father to exercise us with, or in what pasture soever he sees good to put us.

VI. And since he suffered so willingly for us, let us labour (when called thereunto) to lay down our lives for his holy Name sake.