Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29)

INTRODUCTION: A song which presents Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is the “Lamb of God.” The text was written and the tune composed both by Twila Paris Wright (b. 1958). The song was copyrighted in 1985 by Mountain Spring Music/Straight Way Music and appears in numerous song books.

The song expresses praise to God for giving us His Son as the Lamb to take away our sins.

I. Stanza 1 says that the Lamb was sent to this earth.

Your only Son, no sin to hide,

But You have sent Him from Your side

To walk upon this guilty sod

And to become the Lamb of God.

A. Jesus Christ is the Son of God: Jn. 20:30-31

B. The Father sent Him to earth to walk this guilty sod: Gal. 4:4

C. In so doing, He became the Lamb of God to redeem us: 1 Pet. 1:18-19

II. Stanza 2 says that the Lamb was crucified.

Your gift of Love they crucified

They laughed and scorned him as He died

The humble King they named a fraud

And sacrificed the Lamb of God.

A. Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world: Acts 2:22-23

B. While on the cross people laughed and scorned Him in mockery: Matt. 27:39-44

C. Yet, He was the Lamb of God sacrificed to bring redemption: Rev. 5:6-10

III. Stanza 3 says that the Lamb makes it possible for us to become lambs of God.

I was so lost I should have died

But You have brought me to Your side

To be led by Your staff and rod

And to be called a lamb of God.

A. All mankind was lost in sin like sheep going astray: 1 Pet. 2:25

B. But Jesus came to bring us back to God: Heb. 2:10

C. Thus, He calls His people His lambs: Jn. 21:15

CONCLUSION: The chorus reminds us that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God in whose blood we can be washed from our sins.

Oh Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God

I love the holy Lamb of God

Oh wash me in His precious blood

My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God.

This song is sometimes used to prepare for partaking of the Lord’s supper. It is certainly appropriate for that purpose to help us think about the blood that was shed by the “Lamb of God.”

Wayne S. Walker
Weekly Hymn Studies