So it occurs to me that perhaps one of the advantages of becoming older is that it helps to keep things fresh. Things you have already discovered can be discovered again because you’ve forgotten that you once discovered them. Old truths become new truths because you’re not so good at recalling them. I’m smiling as I’m writing this . . . but I think there’s some truth to this. And maybe it’s not an age thing . . . maybe it’s just a brain thing . . . you can only keep so much in retrievable memory at any given time.

Ok . . . so why am I babbling about this? This morning as I’m reading Revelation 13 and 14 it kind of dawns on me that the title of “the Lamb” for Jesus is primarily found in this book — and I think I knew that before . . . but I’m not sure . . . and so this morning it’s like discovery all over again . . . and kind of exciting.

And I poke at it a bit and discover (or maybe rediscover) that John is the only one of the New Testament writers that was led of the Spirit to record “Lamb” as a name for Christ. Doing a quick look, I find that in John’s gospel he twice records John the Baptist’s words, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29, 36) and then we don’t find that title being given to Jesus again until John identifies Him as such in Revelation 5. In Acts the Ethiopian eunuch reads in Isaiah 53 of the one who “as a lamb before its shearers is silent” and Philip identifies Jesus as the one the prophet spoke of (Acts 8:32-35). And then Peter reminds his readers that they were redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1Peter 1:9) . . . but in 1Peter and in Acts, it is “little l” lamb and not “big L” lamb and is used as a picture rather than a title or a name.

And so this morning, as I continue to read in Revelation, I behold afresh . . . The Lamb!

The Lamb who, even in risen heavenly glory, is recognized as having once been slain. The Lamb before Whom heavenly realms continually find themselves facedown in worship. The Lamb who alone is worthy to open the seals of God’s judgment upon the earth. The Lamb whose wrath will be poured out . . . the Lamb whose blood continues to be the power of salvation for those who believe during the Tribulation. The Lamb who will shepherd and lead those who believe in Him to living fountains of water.

And in this morning’s reading, two things in particular push the “awe-meter” to its limits. First, He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). This title . . . this calling . . . this purpose . . . this work . . . had been determined for the Son of God since the beginning. Jesus becoming the Lamb was not some “plan B” put into effect when the garden of Eden experiment went south. But God in His infinite wisdom and foreknowledge devised in eternity past the plan of redemption . . . and at the center of this plan is the Lamb. Jesus slain . . . I’m reading about that now, as well, in John’s gospel. Crucified on a cross . . . forsaken of men . . . made a curse and forsaken of the Father. Slain that through His blood my soul might be bought out of the marketplace of sin. Slain so that the price would be paid for my redemption . . . that when I, by faith, bowed my knee to Jesus as Savior, God could fully and completely declare me righteous in Him. The Lamb slain . . . for eternity, that fact will not be lost on us . . . behold, the Lamb!

And then I read of the Lamb “standing on Mount Zion” (Rev. 14:1). And it is clear that He is the King! The Lamb will reign from this holy mount. Far from the picture of a meek and lowly lamb, here I’m reminded that the Lamb is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5) and that He will prevail and will one day establish His kingdom on the earth. What power . . . what might . . . what authority . . . what majesty!!! Behold the Lamb!

So . . . maybe I already knew that it’s primarily in Revelation where Jesus is identified as “the Lamb” . . . but the re-discovery of it this morning is sweet. The eyes of faith being awakened afresh to the Alpha and Omega . . . the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and the Lamb who will one day rule from Mount Zion . . . is a bit of a rush. Oh to just sit back and behold the Lamb!!! Awesome!!!