The Lamb of God

Have you ever wondered why Jesus is often referred to as the Lamb of God?

Well, in Old Testament the Lord gave the Jewish people several feast days which they observed to serve God in the Law of Moses. These days were known as Sabbath days or "rest days". During these Sabbath days the people would bring lambs to sacrifice upon the altar of God.

The Passover was one of the greatest days given to the Jewish people. If you recall this day signified when the death angel passed over those who had blood on their doorposts before Moses lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. The blood came from a lamb that they had sacrificed earlier that night.

When Jesus sat down with his disciples in the upper room it was to celebrate this traditional feast day called Passover. Throughout the years the Jewish people had celebrated this day and Jesus wanted to celebrate it with his disciples since they also kept the law.

Later that evening Jesus was taken by those sent by the chief priests and scribes and elders. He was taken before many courts, until they finally convinced Pilate that he should be crucified.

He died on a cross at the ninth hour on the feast day of Passover. So while the Jews were sacrificing actual lambs for the their sins, Jesus became the true lamb and fulfilled the old covenant and that is why we call him the Lamb of God.