Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Behold the lamb, behold the sacrificed animal, the spilled blood, the innocent victim; in Jesus’ commitment of salvation instead of condemnation, he took the place of the lamb.
Jesus brings a profound reversal: while religions generally involve humans sacrificing for God, in Christianity, God sacrifices Himself for humanity. He does not demand the sinner’s life but gives His own, even for those who take it from Him. From His wounded side on the cross, flows blood and water—the blood of love and the water of life—symbolizing unconditional love in every circumstance.
Jesus is a victim of love. Origen writes: “God first suffered, then became incarnate. He suffered because God’s suffering is the fruit of his passion of love; he suffered seeing the evil that humans have and do, creating a wounded heart; Jesus suffered for love.
He confronted violence with love, and violence could not tolerate his freedom; thus, it rallied its followers and killed the lamb, the gentle man. Jesus became the last victim of violence, ensuring that there would be no more victims. He had to be the final one to die so that no one else would have to suffer the same fate.
We are sent to be a breach of this love, arms open wide, given by God to the world, a small sign that every creature under the sun is tenderly loved by our God, the meek and strong lamb who offers himself.