Happy Chinese New Year.
Many Chinese like to look for good fortune in this season. Since we are now in the “year of Lamb,” we can take advantage of this season to share the good fortunate through knowing Jesus, “the lamb of God.” Last Sunday, I put some tracts for Chinese New Year in the lobby.
義 (righteous): The word is made up of two radicals (lamb, me). Indeed, the lamb on me makes me righteous! This is an amazing coincidence with the biblical concept of righteousness. John 1:29 :“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” 2 Cor 5:21 "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Indeed this Chinese word is so precious that it is on the tombstone of Mrs Billy Graham.
祥: (lucky, fortunate): The word is made up of two radicals (God, lamb). What a good combination for lucky and fortunate.
The lamb occupies a special place in God's revelation. God used the lamb to reveal progressively His plan of redemption for man. As we study the subject of the "lamb," we can see His revelation unfolding orderly and gradually. The lamb started serving as the sacrifice for an individual (Gen 22:8, Gen 4:4), then for a household (Exod 12:3), then for the nation (Lcv l6:21), and finally for the world (John 1:29). The lamb represents God's love for man, and also illustrates God's sovereignty over history and the universe.
In the Old Testament, when God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He commanded them to kill a male lamb without defect, and then put the blood on the door post and lintel. (This practice is similar to the Chinese custom of posting couplets on red paper on the door post and lintel.) By observing this command, no destructive plague would come to their household. Later, the Israelites were to observe the Feast of Passover. Each year, they were to slaughter a lamb without defect, to remember the Lord's special salvation, and to serve as a tool to teach their descendants. (Exod 12:2-28)
In the New Testament, the position of the lamb becomes more clear. In John 1:29, John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, pointed to Jesus as the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." Later, Paul clearly points to Christ as the Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7). Accordingly, we can receive God's salvation solely through Christ's shedding of blood as the Lamb of God.
Moving to the Book of Revelations, the Lamb emerges as a still more prominent position. The word "lamb" is mentioned twenty-eight times. The Lamb is specified as the Lord of lords and King of kings (Rev 17:14), and as sitting on the throne with full authority (Rev 22:3).
The Bible says that we are all sinners by nature and originally without hope of knowing God. Yet, because of Christ's work of atonement for our sins, we can be justified though faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 indicates that we are justified through faith, and can have peace with God, and can become the children of God. This special position is not due to our goodness, but God's grace. Through the Lamb of God, we can be justified or "declared righteous."
The two words and the concept of the lamb can be good conversation starters leading to the gospel. I hope that we will share the "Lamb of God" in the year of the Lamb. Allowing Him to be the Lord of our lives, we can enjoy the abundant life that He promises to us.
Happy Chinese New Year! 祝你新年蒙福!
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