AGNUS DEI or LAMB OF GOD

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Father Joe

Jesus is indeed the Lamb of God— a Passover Lamb for a new Seder in his blood. This oblation will not be for freedom from Egyptian slavery or from Roman oppression or strictly from any earthly bondage. His liberation is cosmic! Jesus is the Lamb of Victory over sin, suffering, death and the devil. He is the sin-offering satisfying for our redemption. He lays down his life for his own, his flock. More than a good shepherd, he is the alpha ram among the many sheep of his flock. John the Baptizer at the Jordon points him out to his followers: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) and “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:37). He urges the apostle John and Andrew (brother of Peter) to go to Jesus.

The apostles are well aware of the “lamb” that commemorates their protection from the angel of death and which brings about their freedom under Moses. Going back even further they would remember their father in faith, Abraham, and how God provides a sacrifice in place of his son, Isaac. John calling Jesus “the Lamb of God” strikes an immediate chord in his disciples. Jesus is the one whom they have been waiting. The pattern would be repeated again. Just as the meat of a conventional sacrifice is given to God, to those offering the oblation and to the poor; Jesus would make himself an acceptable oblation to the Father and a spiritual food for his people. Jesus is priest and victim. Jesus would die in our stead. Twice the people say, “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us” and then with the third acclamation, “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.” This is the peace that the world cannot give.