tollie.org/blog thoughts and reflections of Tollie Williams

The Lamb

I noticed a number of people in the choir wiping tears as they sang "When I See the Risen Lamb" today. I'm sure some of it is the powerful musical qualities of the song. But how the musical qualities of the song, and more importantly, the truth of its lyrics to forgiven sinners, cause us to reflect on and ponder the greatness of our Savior. It's a song that moves one into great happiness and thankfulness.

When I See the Risen Lamb:

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However, pondering the imagery of the next song broke me.

Following "When I See the Risen Lamb" today was "Behold the Lamb." In this order, I suspect that our music minister, Tom Clay, was intending to paint the picture of the resurrection and the glorified, risen Christ. However, for some reason, my mind went "backwards" to the Old Testament, instead of forwards into the New Testament church.

I could attempt to describe this in the powerful way that it broke me, but almost undoubtedly my words would hinder, and not help, you experience this same brokenness. So I'll try to keep my words to a minimum, in hopes that you'll ponder the truth of them:

God is angry and wrathful against the evilness of humanity.

Lambs are baby sheep, less than a year old - the imagery of innocence.

Showing the magnitude of his righteous anger, God ordered his people, from time to time, to slaughter lambs, ripping their bodies apart and spreading their blood on an alter.

Jesus is called the Son of God. God the Father loves his Son. Jesus is also called the lamb of God.

Jesus was slain just as the lamb was slaughtered - innocent and blameless - and because of God's intolerance for sin, his righteous wrath compelled him to be pleased in the death of his own son.

His wrath was carried out against the Lamb, his son, so that he could love me and adopt me as a son - even though I am the sinner who deserved only the wrath and anger.

What mercy. What love.

Behold the Lamb:

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You can see the service with these songs being sung, as well as the message that was preached, at Grace Life Church's website here. Look for the 9/20/2009 AM service.

Related posts:

1. Notes from 9-13-2009 PM Sermon – God’s Alluring Hosea 2:14 == God's drawing the unworthy == "Behold, I...
2. True Church Conference 2010 – Thoughts and 1st Message Well, I barely made it home without crashing from crashing....