The Messiah Simeon Waited For

Not only was a lamb sacrificed for Passover, the following occasions also required the death of a lamb.

1. Redeeming the firstborn of your livestock.
2. Redeem a firstborn son.
3. The daily prayer offerings. Two lambs killed for the sins of the people every single day, one in the morning and one in the evening.
4. If a person had a specific sin they wanted to confess, they had to sacrifice a lamb.
5. A cleansing for the priests.
6. As the cleansing offering for the woman who had just given birth.
7. As cleansing for after having healed from a skin disease like leprosy.
8. As a wave or a trespass offering.
9. As a freewill offering.
10. For each of the holy feasts or celebrations.
11. As an offering to sanctify leaders.
12. To seek forgiveness for unintentional or unrecognized sin.
13. To honor the Sabbath.
14. To celebrate a new month.
15. To consecrate a holy building or office.

I’m sure there are more reasons to sacrifice a lamb in the Scripture. If you add it up, there were lots and lots of lambs killed to fulfill the law. But none of them could do more than fulfill the requirement of the moment. As soon as one lamb was killed, one atonement made, sin began anew and the next lamb was in line for the slaughter. Lots and lots of lambs. Millions of lambs to atone for a variety of situations or purify or cleanse or express gratitude.

My point is that Jesus answers all of them. As he approached the Jordan River, John the Baptist saw him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The Lamb of God answers all our needs.

He redeems our firstborn and all that we value when we submit it to him. He centers our prayers and focuses our days. He was our sacrifice for all our sins—past, present and future. He cleanses us for sins we never noticed or recognized as contrary to the will of God. He cleanses our very standing in heaven to make us right with God the Father. He is the reason we give offerings and rejoice. His presence in our lives gives honor and joy to those who love him.

Because as the Lamb of God, he accomplishes so much, in the end of times, he will again be identified as the Lamb. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)