A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 22
Christ a Lamb.
Joh. 1.36.
Behold the Lamb of God!
1 Pet. 1.19.
As a Lamb without blemish, &c.
Rev. 14.11.
I beheld, and lo a Lamb stood upon Mount Zion, &c.
IN the two first Texts the Greek Word is foreign, compounded of α privativo, and foreign, robur, which signifies Strength; that is,Liegh. not strong. The Article ὁ (as Erasmus hath observed out of Chrysostom and Theophylact) is emphatical, distinguishing him from the Typical Lamb; and denotes also Relation, for it puts in mind of the Prophecies of Esay, and others, used Acts 32. The word in Rev. 14.1. is foreign, which is a Diminutive of foreign, and signifies Agnellus, a little Lamb,Gent. in Harm. tener adhuc & immaturus, tender, &c. John 21.15.
Christus vocatur Agnus propter immolationem pro peccatis totius mundi factam, quam ut Typi praefigurarunt Agni in V. T. immolait; tum propter mansu…tudinem, patientiam, innocentiam, beneficentiam, &c. Glassius.How, and in what respects Christ may be called a Lamb, follows.
Metaphor.
I. THe Lamb is a very innocent and harmless Creature. Bullinger calls it a Symbol of Innocency. It doth no Wrong or Injury to any.
II. The Lamb is made a Prey of, and often worried by Dogs, Wolves, and other evil Beasts.
III. The Lamb is a meek and patient Creature, bearing Wrongs, not seeking Revenge upon them that strike and abuse him.
IV. The Lamb is silent, when brought to the Slaughter, doth not cry, complain, nor strive, as other Creatures do.
V. The Lamb is a lovely and very delightful Creature; hence Ʋriah's Wife is compared to it.2 Sam. 12.3, 4.
VI. The Lamb is a contented Creature; let the Shepherd put it into what Pasture he please, it grumbles not, but seems very well satisfied.
VII. The Lamb is a clean Beast, whose Flesh God appointed for Food; and the Flesh of no Beast is more generally prized, especially at its first coming, than Lamb.
VIII. The Lamb was appointed under the Law for Sacrifice, it was to be taken out of the Flock, to be severed from the rest, to be kill'd; a He-Lamb, and without spot, was to be offered up to make an Atonement, and the Blood to be sprinkled, &c.
IX. Lambs are very profitable Creatures, they enrich their Owners; their Fleece and Skins are good for Cloathing. Also the *foreign Chesitah, Nummus, sexta pars Denarii, Gen. 33.19. Job 42.11. Josh. 24.32. Nummus agni imagine signatus, doth signify both Money and a Lamb. Liegh Crit. Sac.Money of the ancient Patriarchs was called a Lamb, because the Figure of a Lamb was on it. Abraham bought a Field for an hundred Pieces of Silver, or Lambs.
X. The Lamb is a small Creature to other Beasts, therefore the Hebrews call them foreign.Liegh Crit. Sacr. Job 42.12 Aben-Ezra apud Jobum, tenellam Pecudem, vel Agnellum interpretatur: A small Sort of Cattle, or diminutive Lamb.
Parallel.
I. JEsus Christ is of a sweet, quiet, and harmless Nature and Disposition: Such an High-Priest became us, who is holy, Heb. 7.26.harmless, undefiled, separated from Sinners, &c.
II. The Lord Jesus was preyed upon by Devils and wicked Men,Mat. 4.2, 3. Mat. 2.14. who continually worried him, like hungry and blood-thirsty Wolves, Lions, and ravening Beasts, whilst he was upon the Earth.
III. The Lord Jesus with a meek and patient Spirit bore all those vile and grievous Wrongs, Contradictions of Sinners,Mat. 11.2. Heb. 12.3.and horrid Blasphemies, in the days of his Flesh,Mat 26.53 without seeking the least Revenge upon them. Austin saith, he is compared to a Lamb because of his Mildness.
IV. The Lord Christ was silent, when he was led to be crucified: He is brought as a Lamb to the Slaughter, Mat. 26.63and as a Sheep is dumb before the Shearer, so opened he not his Mouth. — He did not cry, Isa. 53.7.nor cause his Voice to be heard in the Streets.
V. Christ is the Delight of the Father,Prov. 8.30. Isa. 42.1. very lovely in the Eyes of Saints and Angels; nay, what was said of Titus Vespasian, may fitly be spoken of Christ, He is the Delight of Mankind.
VI. Christ was abundantly satisfied to become any thing,Heb. 10.7. John 10.15, 17, 18. Phil. 2.7, 8 and to do whatever the Will of his Father was, tho 'twas to be abased so low, as to be born of a poor Virgin, to live in a mean Condition, and to have no where to lay his Head, whilst he abode in this howling Wilderness.
VII. Christ was ordained of God to be the Food of our Souls; and there is no Meat so sweet, or is so much prized by the Godly, especially when they first receive him by Faith, as this Lamb. My Flesh is Meat indeed, Joh. 6.55.and my Blood is Drink indeed. Whosoever hath fed spiritually on Christ, he desireth no better Dainties.
VII. Christ, the Lamb of God, is our only Sacrifice. He was taken from among Men, separated from Sinners,Heb. 7.26. 1 Pet. 1.1, 17, 18, 19. Heb 7.27. Heb. 12.24 truly Man. He was a Lamb without blemish, no Spot or Stain of Sin could be found in him. He was slain or offered up upon the Cross, to make an Atonement for the Sins of his People; and his Blood must be sprinkled or applied to our Consciences by Faith.
IX. Christ enriches all that have Interest in him,1 Cor. 1.30. Isa. 45.24. Jer. 23.6. & 33.16. Rev. 19.8. Col. 3.3. or can lay claim to this Lamb; and his Righteousness is for our Cloathing. No Money will pass for currant (as it were) with God, but Jesus Christ. He is the Saints Treasure; their Estate and Inheritance lies in Christ: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness, &c.
X. Christ made himself of no reputation. In respect of his Humanity, he is called a Worm, as Annotators expound that in the Psalmist, Psal. 22.6. I am a Worm, and no Man, a Reproach of Men, and despised of the People. He was small and despised in the eyes of the great Heroes of the Earth.
There are several great Disparities between Christ and a Lamb, but we shall pass by them, and only take notice of two or three
Inferences.
I. IF the Lord Jesus was such an harmless, innocent, silent, and delightful Lamb, how doth this set out and aggravate the horrid Sin of the Jews, and others, who put him to death!
II. And how doth it magnify the Love and Pity of God to us, that he should be pleased to part with this precious Lamb out of his Bosom, to be made a Sacrifice for our Sins!
III. From hence also we may learn how to carry it in the World, not to be high-minded, and seek great things for our selves; he did not so: Let the same Mind be in you, that was also in Christ Jesus, Phil. 2.5.&c.
IV. Let us make him our Example, when under Suffering, and in the hands of wicked Men, who when he was reviled, reviled not again;Rom. 12.19. 1 Pet. 3.9. let us not seek Revenge, nor render Evil for Evil to any Man.
V. Moreover, let us be contented, as He was, whatever it pleaseth the Father to exercise us under, or in what Pasture soever he sees good to put us.
VI. And since he suffered so willingly for us, let us labour (when called thereunto) to lay down our Lives for his holy Name-sake.