"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29
“Lamb of God” (in Latin, Agnus Dei) is an oil painting by the Spanish Baroque artist Francisco de Zurbarán displayed at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain. It was painted between 1635 and 1640, during the time of the Spanish Catholic Reformation. The striking image evokes deep emotion and reminds us of the Passion of Jesus.
Set against a stark, black backdrop and laying upon a gray table, a live merino lamb is tied and bound in a sacrificial position; its legs are thrust into the foreground, and its eyes avert our gaze. The religious art of the Baroque period is reflective of the powerful works of Bernini, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Rubens. It is one of the great paintings of Christendom.
Lamb of God is an allusion to Christ's title as recorded in John 1: 29 when John the Baptist presents Jesus as 'The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World.' Although it is difficult to view, Lamb of God is a beautiful image of undying love for a dark world.
Recording artist Twila Paris's song, "Lamb of God" captures the passion and our hope of salvation:
Your only Son no sin to hide
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God
Your gift of love they crucified
They laughed and scorned Him as He died
The humble King they named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God
I was so lost I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be called a lamb of God
Chorus
Oh Lamb of God sweet Lamb of God
I love the holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious blood
My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Copyright 2020 William S. Barnett All rights reserved
Lamb of God: Wikipedia
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