What does it mean to sacrifice? At the least it means to give up something. I am very conscious, for example, that my parents made sacrifices for their children. They gave up having a nice home, never owned an automobile, and had very little of this world’s goods and creature comforts. Why? So their children could get an adequate education and be prepared for service to the community. They sacrificed some things in order to gain other things which they considered more valuable. At the heart this is what sacrifice is all about. Self-denial for a greater good.

During Lent, a custom which is little observed amongst Protestants today, folks were asked to give up something – deny themselves something for the greater good. Fasting is a form of sacrifice. The purpose of fasting is not just to give up food for a period – but to show that life is more than food and drink – a life in service to God and others. Sacrifice for a greater good.

In order to understand this strange text from John – or, at least, to try to understand this text, it is important to understand sacrifice.

John the Baptist described Jesus in this way, a strange epithet at that. The Lamb of God is a description which has confounded Biblical scholars for centuries. Much has been written on the subject – way too much for us to understand in one brief homily this morning. Just so the text is before us and we must grapple with it. And let our prayer be that Jesus may be revealed to us in the richness of his purpose in the world and his importance to our life and work.

Why would the Baptist describe him as a Lamb? Much better we would think a lion or a bull or some great and ferocious beast that would strike fear in the hearts of sinners! Why, a lamb – the weakest of animals – prey to wolves and jackals. Amos would love a lion for he said in his prophesy of doom: "The lion has roared, who will not fear; Lord YHWH has spoken, who will not prophecy."

The lamb had great significance in Scripture. In the days of sacrifice the lamb was used as an animal sacrifice – but so were goats and bulls and even birds. Sacrifices were offered to an angry God or as sin offerings. Their blood was spattered on the people and their sins were forgiven. You will no doubt remember the Exodus when the blood of lambs was spattered on the doorposts of God’s people and they were spared.

Isaiah spoke of the Messiah who was to come and save his people who like sheep had gone astray. The suffering servant . . . "was oppressed, and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth."

There are references to the Lamb in the Book of Revelation who at the end of time conquers the beast – who makes war on the Lamb – and the lamb conquers all and saves those who are called and chosen and faithful.

Now John the Baptist, wilderness preacher who dressed in animal skins and ate locusts and while honey, announces: Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

Well, to which Lamb is John referring? Well, we don’t know for sure – maybe all of the above or none of the above. So, you ask me, why bring it up at all?

Well, because the Lamb of God is Jesus, who takes away the sin of the world. The mystery is the same but the effect is clear – he takes away the sins of the world. That’s where we come in, is it not? That’s precisely why this affirmation of the Baptist is important to me and you. We are sinners and we need saving from our sins. I will not save you by explaining this Lamb of God. You are saved only by the mysterious, incomprehensible power of the Lamb.

Well, so what? Are we despondent because we cannot understand all the mysteries of the faith and of Scripture? I am not and I hope you are not. Well, then what? If you are a sinner in need of salvation, as I perceive we are, then follow the Lamb! Behold, the Lamb. Seek the Lamb. Spend your days following the Lamb’s discipline. If you will be disciples, give your life in sacrificial service.

That’s what Paul was talking about when he penned the famous passage on love in I Corinthians: "Now we see in a smoky glass, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood." (I Cor. 13)

I always remember the lecture I once heard from a professor of Systematic Theology from Perkins School of Theology in Dallas (Albert Outler) He gave one of the most profound lectures on the person and work of Jesus I have ever heard. He concluded his remarks with a memorable admonition: "In the end you will not be judged on how sophisticated your knowledge of Jesus, but how closely you follow him."

Sermon given at Georgetown Presbyterian Church on January 16, 2005 by Dr. E. Thomas Miller, Interim Pastor.