Good Friday- The Lamb of God
John 18:1-19:42 “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). These are the words of John the Baptist at the beginning of the Gospel according to John. … What might have come to mind for people when John used the phrase “Lamb of God”? The tradition of Morning and Evening Prayer is based on the ancient rhythm of the Temple sacrifices. As a part of morning and evening offerings, a lamb was offered along with grain (or bread), oil, and wine. In the thinking of ancient people, they are creating a ritual meal of hospitality for God. It was a ritual of welcome. It was about maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel through daily worship. It was the heartbeat of the Temple. Leviticus 17:11 tells us that “the life is in the blood”. As a part of a sacrifice, blood was used to purify. Sprinkling blood was like sprinkling life. The blood of the lamb would be poured against the side of the altar to keep it in a state of purity. This i...