Behold The Lamb

Historical sources outside Scripture corroborate that Jesus existed.

University of North Carolina professor Bart Ehrman has said:

"I don't think there's any serious historian who doubts the existence of Jesus... We have more evidence for Jesus than we have for almost anybody from his time period.”

"He certainly existed, as virtually every competent scholar of antiquity, Christian or non-Christian, agrees."

We see a similar idea from Marcus Borg, Professor at Oregon State University:

“Some judgments are so probable as to be certain; for example, Jesus really existed, and he really was crucified, just as Julius Caesar really existed and was assassinated. …. We can in fact know as much about Jesus as we can about any figure in the ancient world.”

The question today is not “Did Jesus exist?” But rather, “Why did He die?”

Perhaps one of the most staggering realities in all of Scripture is that Jesus, the very center of history, is also the Lamb who willingly entered our world to rescue us.​

From the earliest pages of the Bible, God was preparing His people to recognize this Lamb. The sacrifices of the Old Testament, the blood on the doorposts in Exodus, and the temple offerings all pointed to a final, perfect sacrifice. When Jesus entered history, John the Baptist declared: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

The people knew the system of sacrifice, Passover, and atonement; they knew what it was a lamb did, it served as a sacrifice to be right with God through its blood (Leviticus 17:11).

While the blood of lambs covered sin temporarily, Jesus accomplished what no other sacrifice could.

​In John 12, Jesus arrived in Jerusalem for Passover, knowing that He was coming as an offering. In  Luke 22, on the day that Passover lamb had to be sacrificed, Jesus tells His disciples what is to come.

“When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (v. 14-20)​

The sacrificial systems have all been pointing to Jesus; this cup represents a new agreement with God through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross.

​Matthew’s Gospel paints it this way:

“Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:27-29)

Take a moment and consider this truth: your sins are forgiven by His blood, not by being good, praying a prayer, attending church, or trying to out-do your neighbor. Will you accept His sacrifice for yourself today and trust in the power of His blood on the doorpost of your life?

When Jesus laid down His life on the cross, He offered the final and ultimate sacrifice.

This is the picture painted in 1 Peter 1:18-21.

“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 ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”

This Lamb who was slain is also the Lamb who reigns (Revelation 5, Revelation 13:8). Revelation pulls back the curtain and shows heaven centered around “the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.” To know Jesus as the Lamb of God is to see salvation not as something we earn, but as something He accomplished. It is to trust that His sacrifice is enough, His victory is secure, and His voice is still speaking a better word over us.

His blood does what no other sacrifice ever could: it cleanses, heals, restores, and reconciles. The same blood speaks today—not in accusation, but in mercy, forgiveness, and freedom. Will you open your heart and receive what He offers now?