Why Did John the Baptist Refer to Jesus as the Lamb of God?

“Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him” (Matt. 3:13).

Seeing Yeshua approaching, John the Baptist declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Why did John the Baptist refer to Jesus as the Lamb of God? John, a Jewish prophet, was pointing back to the first Passover when the children of Israel were delivered out of Egypt through the blood of a lamb. God had revealed to John that Yeshua would become the final and ultimate sacrificial Lamb for all of mankind.

Prior to going to the cross, Yeshua’s last supper with His disciples was a Passover meal where He foretold His ultimate act—“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood”’ (Luke 22:19; 20).

God preplanned and ordained that Jesus, the perfect Lamb, would be crucified on Passover. This is why Yeshua said, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion” (Matt. 26:2).

Again, this was no coincidence. It was to fulfill the historic redemptive miracle that originated in Egypt. But consider this, it was not enough for ancient Israel to just gather the blood of lambs in basins. They had to personally apply it to the individual doorposts of their homes. Likewise, it is not sufficient to just know that Messiah shed His blood and died for our sins. We must personally receive Him into our hearts and follow Him, so that His blood is applied to our individual lives.

Beloved, although it was 2,000 years ago that Yeshua died on that consecrated and Holy Passover day, His blood is yet still alive—at this very moment! The blood of the Lamb of God is active! Yeshua’s blood brings salvation and deliverance from darkness and sin to everyone that commits their lives to Him.

“And they overcame him (the devil) because of the blood of the Lamb” (Reve. 12:11).

“The Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful” (Rev. 17:14).

Passover is for us today, tomorrow and forever! The cross has timeless impact and eternal consequence.

“For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7).

Rabbi Kirt Schneider hosts the impactful television program, Discovering The Jewish Jesus, which is available in more than 100 million homes in the United States and nearly 200 nations worldwide. In 2021 he began broadcasting on radio and now airs across America. Rabbi Schneider imparts revelation of Jesus’ Jewish heritage and His fulfillment of Messianic prophecy. Questions of how the Old and New Testaments tie together, and how Yeshua completes the unfolding plan of The Almighty Yahweh, are answered with exceptional clarity. Visit his website at discoveringthejewishjesus.com.