Washed in the Blood of the Lamb

Revelation 12:11 “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Recently our church choir sang a rousing arrangement of the song, “Washed in the Blood of the Lamb.”  We didn’t clap or sway, because we are Presbyterian, but it was fun to sing.

However, the theme of being washed in blood of a dead animal appears to be somewhat morbid.  If you are not versed in the meaning, you may be offended by the lyrics. Why does the Bible feature the blood of a lamb? In the Old Testament, lambs were sacrificed on an altar for the atonement of sins. It seems crude, barbaric, and a bloody mess by today’s standards. Why would you sacrifice a lamb?  Lambs are hopelessly vulnerable and adorably cute. That’s also the answer. They are the ultimate symbol of innocence and purity.

My granddaughter, Penny, is vulnerable and adorably cute. She and a lamb have similarities. She is precious, defenseless, and a picture of innocence.  It is pure joy for me to be with her.

Jesus was considered the “Lamb of God”. He had the innocence of a small child and the wisdom of God. If you nailed my granddaughter to a small wooden cross, I would give up my life to stop it. The world would be appalled, and justice would be severe.  Jesus is believed to be like that little child, pure and blameless. He is like the lamb, vulnerable and without blemish. And he died with his innocence intact. The world was not appalled. It did not cry out for justice. However, the pivotal point in Jesus’ story is not his innocence.  It is his resurrection – “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  If we could capture the depth of his innocence, maybe we could fully appreciate the magnitude of his forgiveness in the resurrection.

When you see a young child, think of the innocence of Jesus. May it be a lesson that renews your vow to follow Him. Then think of his resurrection as it washed away your sin and restored your innocence. My granddaughter is a glimpse of me as I will return to the innocence of a child unblemished by the world when I pass into eternity.  What a glorious day that will be!

1 Peter 1:18-19 “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”