Watch the Lamb Who Triumphs
This Communion meditation follows the image of the lamb from Abraham and Isaac to John the Baptist and Revelation. The article points readers to Jesus as the Lamb of God who was slain, stands victorious, and will return in triumph.
- Lambs may seem weak, but Scripture uses the lamb to reveal God’s power and purpose.
- The Bible points from Genesis 22 to John 1 and Revelation as it identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God.
- Communion invites believers to remember Christ’s sacrifice and anticipate the wedding supper of the Lamb.
By Doug Redford
A lamb is an animal not usually associated with strength or power. Do you know of any sports teams that use a lamb for a mascot? There are teams called the rams—and we recognize the famous trio of lions and tigers and bears (oh my!); they are all used for team nicknames. But lambs? How many people go to the zoo expecting to see the lamb exhibit? Does the zoo have as one of their employees a “lamb tamer”? Lambs are meek, timid creatures; they don’t need to be tamed.
Watch the Lamb Through Scripture
In the Bible, however, the lamb conveys some of the most powerful messages in Scripture. A popular Christian song from several years ago was entitled Watch the Lamb. Those same three words could also serve as a traveler’s guide through Scripture. In the Bible’s first book, we read of Abraham’s journey to Mount Moriah to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God. As the two travel, Isaac asks his father, “Where is the lamb?” Abraham gives the prophetic reply, “God himself will provide the lamb” (Genesis 22:7, 8, New International Version). And of course, lambs are mentioned in numerous references within the Old Testament sacrificial system. Those preparatory, prophetic sacrifices are climaxed by John the Baptist’s dramatic introduction of Jesus: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
The Lamb Who Triumphs
Another climax comes in the Bible’s final book, Revelation. Out of the 38 times that the word lamb occurs in the New Testament (in the New International Version), 31 of those occur in the Book of Revelation. The first time we see the Lamb comes in chapter 5, where he is slain, yet standing (v. 6). The enemies of the Lord are later portrayed as waging war against the Lamb, “but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” (17:14). Yes, this Lamb is surely worth watching—and following!
Communion and the Wedding Supper of the Lamb
As we observe Communion, let us remember how God has consistently used “the lowly things of this world” (1 Corinthians 1:28) like a lamb, a manger, and a cross to fulfill his holy purposes. And let us anticipate the day when we will indeed “watch the Lamb” when he returns in triumph and gathers us to participate in the great “wedding supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9).
Author: Doug Redford
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
