The term, "Agnus Dei" (Lamb of God) has a very interesting Biblical history, and it comes into particular focus in this weekend's Gospel text from John 1:29-42. John the Baptist is with two of his disciples when he turns and sees Jesus walking. He says to his disciples: "Here is the Lamb of God", and John's disciples turn and follow Jesus!

The Biblical significance of the title, "Lamb of God," comes in the context of earlier lamb symbolism. In the Old Testament, the blood of the paschal lamb protects and saves the Israelites (Exodus 12).

This connection is also made very clear in 1 Corinthians 5:7, where Paul says that Christians are saved by Christ as their true paschal lamb.

The Old Testament also alludes to the earlier practice of sin offerings as a means of atonement. Lambs could be used in these offerings (Leviticus 4:32-34 and Leviticus 5:6), and this connection is strongly suggested in our Gospel (John 1:29) as well as in 1 Peter 1:19. Just as in Old Testament Judaism, sins could be forgiven through the offering and the pouring out of the blood of an "unblemished" lamb, Christians believe they can be freed from sin by the blood of Jesus, who is the unblemished Lamb of God.

Join us for worship and learn more about the meaning of Jesus as "The Lamb of God" and what this lamb means to your life and faith.