JOHN 1:29-34
Today’s Gospel presents John the Baptist’s testimony to the messianic event prefigured in the Passover and foretold by the prophet Isaiah. The truth and meaning of Jesus as God’s Lamb leads Saint Paul confidently to exclaim that, “Our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). The expression “lamb of God” further relays the pure and perfect innocence of the Redeemer (cf. 1 Peter 1:18-20; 1 John 3:5).
The sacred text reads “the sin of the world.” The emphasis upon the singularity of sin makes absolutely clear that every kind of sin is eviscerated. There is no doubting the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ Jesus sets us all free from original sin and from all personal sin (John 1:29).
Finally, the Book of Revelation employs the lamb image in a way that unambiguously teaches us that Jesus is victorious and glorious in heaven as the slain lamb (cf. Revelation 5:6-14), surrounded by the saints, martyrs and virgins (7:9, 14; 14:1-5), who render Him the praise and glory due Him as God (7:10).
