Hello, friend. Welcome back to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here again.

Where We've Been

In Lesson One, we saw that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, who became a man.

In Lesson Two, we saw how He lived. He "went about doing good." He taught with authority, He healed the sick, and He received sinners. And we heard Him say He came "to give his life a ransom for many."

Today is Lesson Three. It's called "Behold the Lamb of God." We're going to look at why Jesus went to the cross, and what His death means for you.

Our Key Verse

Here is our key verse. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming, he pointed to Him and said:

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." — John 1:29 (KJV)

Why would John call Jesus a lamb? To understand that, we need to go back to the Old Testament.

The Passover Lamb

When God brought Israel out of Egypt, He told each family to take a lamb without blemish and kill it. They were to put its blood on the doorposts of their house. That night, judgment would come on the land. But God made a promise:

"And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." — Exodus 12:13 (KJV)

The lamb died, and the family inside was spared. That was a picture, pointing ahead to Jesus. Paul says it plainly:

"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:" — 1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)

Why Blood?

Some people wonder why the Bible talks so much about blood. Here's the reason. Sin is so serious that it brings death. And God's Word says:

"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." — Hebrews 9:22 (KJV)

"Remission" means sins being forgiven and sent away. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. That's why Jesus had to die. And His blood is worth more than anything in this world:

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" — 1 Peter 1:18-19 (KJV)

A lamb without blemish. Remember from Lesson One, Jesus never sinned. He was the only spotless Lamb who could die in our place.

He Laid Down His Life

Now, Jesus wasn't a victim who got caught by His enemies. He went to the cross on purpose, because He loves His sheep.

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." — John 10:11 (KJV)

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." — John 10:17-18 (KJV)

The Great Exchange

So what happened on the cross? Here is one of the clearest verses in the whole Bible:

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." — 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)

Think of it as a trade. Jesus took our sin. And everyone who trusts in Him receives His righteousness. He got what we deserved, so we could get what He deserved.

Grace at the Cross

Even while He hung on the cross, Jesus showed who He is. He prayed for the very people who crucified Him:

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." — Luke 23:34 (KJV)

And one of the thieves crucified beside Him turned to Him in faith:

"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." — Luke 23:42-43 (KJV)

That thief had no time to do good works. He had no time to fix his life. He simply trusted Jesus. And Jesus promised him paradise that very day.

The Lamb Is Alive

But the Lamb didn't stay dead. On the third day, Jesus rose again, just as He said. We've walked through that in detail in our lesson called The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we hope you'll watch it.

Today, the risen Jesus is in heaven, His work on the cross complete:

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" — Hebrews 10:12 (KJV)

One sacrifice. For ever. Nothing needs to be added to it. And He is still caring for His people right now:

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." — Hebrews 7:25 (KJV)

Will You Come to the Lamb?

So, friend, who is Jesus? He is the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Your sin too.

The thief on the cross came to Him with nothing but faith, and Jesus received him. You can come the same way. Turn from your sin, and trust in the Lamb who died for you and rose again.

Next Time

In Lesson Four, the last lesson in this course, we'll look at the promise that this same Jesus is coming again, and that He will reign as King.

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." — John 14:2-3 (KJV)

A Prayer

Before we go, let's pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this friend who is listening right now.

Thank You for sending Jesus, the Lamb of God, to take away our sin.

Thank You that He was made sin for us, so that we could be made righteous in Him.

Help each of us to come to Him in faith, like the thief on the cross, and to trust Him alone.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us.

We'll see you in Lesson Four.

From all of us at Authorized Sword Ministries, God bless you.