“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Today’s world can possibly be summed up with the word, despair. Moral failure, family crack-ups, alcoholism, drug addiction, perversion, AIDS, depression and suicide touch nearly every life. Add to that the abortion curse, bizarre crimes, mass murders, terrorism and other society-wide problems, and you have general paranoia. Many people hesitate to come to the Lord because they have a very real sense that they are not good enough, that God is angry and bitter against them, that they cannot be accepted no matter how hard they try.
The Bible does not tell us to examine the man. Whosoever will may come. Regardless of age, color, size, background, status… you can come. Prison record, high school drop-outs, divorcees, jobless, homeless, bad reputation. You will never be good enough to serve God. Anyone who waits until they get things straightened out in life fight a losing battle. Come just as you are. Confess your sins—-whatever they are. The only thing you can do is nothing. The only sacrifice you can believe in is Christ. The only one you can trust is God.
The Bible does not tell us to examine the sin. Sins are many: False religion, occult, idolatry, cursing, rebellion, murder, adultery, thievery, lying, covetousness. Analyze them to your heart’s content—to no avail. The world today majors in analysis. Professionals can tell you what’s wrong with you, when it started, how it developed, where it happened and who is responsible. They can give you names and terms to use when you talk about your problem. They can place you in a statistical percentile. They can give you a prognosis based on current findings. They can prescribe all the Prozac or Demerol you need. After its all said and done, they can show you the door, pat you on the back and say, “Good luck.” Let’s not examine your sin. You might be psychologically predisposed to kleptomania, genetically engineered to an alternative lifestyle, culturally inclined to use foul language, socially prone to prevarication, and generally excused to transgress every one of the ten commandments.
The Bible does tell us to examine the Lamb. In the Old Testament, the sacrificial lamb had to be without blemish. He could not have a broken leg. He could not be blind or sick. He could not be too short or too skinny. He had to be the firstling of the flock. Jesus Christ is the lamb of redemption. “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7.
The question is not, “Do I pass the test?” The question is, “Does the Lamb pass the test?” A thousand times YES! He passes every test of scripture, of character, of prophecy and of efficacy. He passes the test of humanity, of divinity, of sinlessness, of authority. He passes every test that qualifies Him to take away sin and save you eternally. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 1 Pet 1:18-19 (NIV).
The Lamb passes every test that you and I failed. The Lamb is destined for the throne! “And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were slain, and you have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and you have made us kings and priests to God: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:8-10. Examine the Lamb!