RCPC Greatest Hit from Lillian Alexander in 2007
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” - John 1:29b
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and stay on him.” - John 1:32b
I John the Baptist relays two easy-to-identify images in these passages - one, a lamb, the other, a dove. These simple animals bring to mind the most fundamental of human needs.
In my mind, the lamb is innocent, sweet, soft and fluffy, comforting. A lamb is also helpless. A dove on the other hand symbolizes love and purity. What better way for Jesus to be identified to John as the one to be baptized with water?
Two white critters; one with a baby’s wooly coat and the bleat of one in need of care, the other with downy feathers and a soothing coo. How different, yet how similar. Concepts so complicated as taking away the world’s sin and the Holy Spirit simplified into something ordinary.
Isn’t that how it should be? In Jesus Christ we are all driven to our most common denominator of innocence and love. Regardless of who we are, we are all made in God’s image of love.
What a comforting thought. What a miracle of divine intention.
Lamb of God, simplify our hearts to receive your love. Amen.