Behold the Lamb! (Mark 15:37-39)

When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” It was during this same time that a voice came from heaven and said of Jesus, “You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You!” These were the proclamations at the beginning of Jesus’s ministry, but it was during the last week of Jesus’s life, Passover Week, that we realize what it meant to be the Lamb of God.

There was great excitement in Jerusalem. Many people from all over the country had arrived in Jerusalem, and they were all looking for Jesus. “What do you think? He won’t come to the festival, will He” (John 11:56)? Imagine the thrill of the crowd when Jesus and His disciples joined the throng of pilgrims streaming into Jerusalem. They cut branches; they spread their coats to make a path for Him as He neared the city. They cried out: “Hosanna! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the Blessed One—the King of the Jews” (John 12:13) *Unwittingly, the crowds chose their Passover lamb on the day the sacrificial lambs were to be chosen.

Exodus 12:5 taught that the Passover Lamb must be without blemish. It was the responsibility of the religious leaders to examine the lambs brought for Passover. Only a perfect, spotless and unblemished lamb would be acceptable. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, Herodians, and scribes each took turns examining Him. They were looking for blemishes, trying to expose a flaw that would disqualify Jesus as the Messiah. However, no one could find any fault in Him. He was without blemish.

On Friday as Jesus hung on the cross, the Temple was crowded with the pilgrims who had brought their lambs to be slain for Passover. At 3 in the afternoon the sound of the shofar would be heard along with the priests chanting, “The cords of death entangled me...precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Righteous One...Open for me the Gates of Righteousness...The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (Psalm 113-118). *The dead lambs were hung on hooks, forearms spread in a crucifixion pose as they were skinned and prepared for roasting. At 3 in the afternoon Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last.

“Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom” (Mark 15:38). Behind that veil was the Holy of Holies, the mercy seat, and access to the very throne of God. By the blood of the lamb we may enter into this throne room. Through the lens of Revelation we can look at the throne. There we see the Lamb who is at the center of the throne, and He is there as a shepherd who leads those who enter by His blood to living waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Behold the Lamb! Behold the Son of God in whom He delighted and sent to take away our sins. This same Father will one day wipe away every tear. Behold, the love of God!

*Sar Shaalom Passover Lamb KOEHN