The Lamb of God

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."

Isaiah 53:7

The other day I had a very powerful scripture study when I came across the before mentioned verse. It struck me quite powerfully as I recalled something that one of my professors of religion in college shared with me. A portion of his life was dedicated to the humble work of raising sheep, which unavoidably leads to bringing them to the slaughter. He said that a unique thing about a lamb is it will not struggle or cry as you kill it. Other animals would struggle and cry as they realize what is about to happen to them, but a lamb never will.

How much more profound now is the metaphor of a lamb to the slaughter as a representation for our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The whole time he was suffering for our sins, he never once raised a word in protest, but rather he humbly said, "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42) Willingly subjecting himself to suffering he never deserved, but doing so to demonstrate his unimaginable love for each and every one of us.

"...he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

Alma 7:11-12 

Having been the lamb, and experiencing all the suffering that such entailed, He is now the shepherd, and with perfect understanding He asks us to follow Him. He knows full well some of the afflictions that we may experience because of our allegiance to His will; Christ even tells His disciples, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves." (Matthew 10:16) Jesus Christ understands that worthwhile endeavors are not easily accomplished, but He is the good shepherd and He knows what is best for His sheep. He suffered much to be able to know to succor (or help) his people in our times of need. 

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture... I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."

John 10:9,11

All that Christ asks us to do is to be like Him. Reinforcing that point, Christ tells His Twelve Disciples in the Ancient Americas, "Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am." (3 Nephi 27:27) Similarly He tells His Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." (John 13:15) Christ is the way! He is the only way! So, let us come unto Christ by doing as He would do. The blessings are immeasurable, and the path is possible. Of that we can have a sure hope because of the sacrifice of our Lord and Shepherd, The Lamb of God. 

"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

Isaiah 40:11

Pictures courtesy of lds.org