Winter 2009
The Lamb Nature
Joseph A. Nieves

In the twelfth chapter of Exodus is the institution of the Passover. This is the commemoration of the deliverance of the children of Israel from the bondage and servitude of Egypt. The primary truth of the Passover is the blood of the Lamb, which speaks of pardon and deliverance from sin, and is a type of salvation in Christ Jesus. Another important truth revealed in the Passover is the preparation and eating of the Lamb, which spiritually refers to partaking of the nature and qualities of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Exodus 12, there are several points to consider concerning the lamb. It was taken from the flock on the tenth day (Exodus 12:3). The number ten in the Bible speaks of testing and approving. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was tested and proven; He was tempted in all points like as we are, and was approved of God (Hebrews 2:18; 4:5). If we are going to go on with God, we cannot escape His hand, for it is man’s responsibility to pass God’s test.

The lamb was to be without blemish (Exodus 12:5). The Lord Jesus Christ was a perfect sacrifice. He gave Himself for the Church that He might sanctify and cleanse it, and present it to Himself a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle.

The lamb was kept until the fourteenth day (Exodus 12:6). The number fourteen speaks of Divine perfection. Fourteen is the product of the numbers of two and seven. Two is the number of witness or testimony; the number seven speaks of perfection. Jesus had the witness and testimony of the Father. He did always the things that pleased the Father. He said, “I can of mine own self do nothing.” The approbation of God was upon Jesus’ life when He testified of Him saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Finally, they were to kill the lamb, apply the blood to the door posts, and eat of its flesh (Exodus 12:7, 8). In John 6:53-57, Jesus said that we are to eat His flesh and drink His blood. He was talking about identification, of partaking of Him in intimate fellowship and communion. He is looking for those who will abandon themselves to Him and will enter into intimacy and union with Him. This is what Paul meant when he said, “For to me to live is Christ.” His cry was “That I may know Him.” The Greek word know means “to know subjectively, experientially, in intimate relationship.” We come into this by eating the Lamb, and partaking of His nature and qualities.

Two important qualities of the Lamb are brought out in Matthew 11:29. Speaking of Himself, Jesus said, “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart.” Meekness is a quality of spirit. The world generally associates a meek person with someone who is without backbone or easy going. But the Bible’s definition of meek is that the retaliation and fight has been removed from our personality. Many times we struggle to defend ourselves, and fight for our rights and privileges. In Numbers 12:3, Moses is spoken of as being the meekest man on the face of the earth. The Hebrew word for meek literally means “to wear out.” God had taken Moses to the backside of the desert and kept him there until he was brought to the place where he cried; “O my Lord, I am not eloquent…but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” The retaliation that was evidenced in his slaying of the Egyptian was now gone. Also, Peter, referring to Jesus in his epistle says: “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again.” Acts 8:33 says, “In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.” In another translation it reads” “In his humiliation, justice was denied him,” or “When under the dealings of God, he did not get a fair deal.” How many times have we been wronged and had every right to retaliate? But God is dealing with the motives and attitudes of our hearts. We can be right, and yet be wrong because of a wrong attitude. In Luke chapter six it says, “Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you.”

Humility is a quality of mind. Paul writes in Romans 11:20: “Be not high minded, but fear God.” And in Romans 12:3 he says: “To every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.” In other words, we are to have a humble opinion of ourselves. We should not be hasty before God or man. Paul exhorts in Philippians 2:5-10, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…he humbled himself…”

In Revelation chapter five, no one is found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof. As John weeps, one of the elders says: “Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book.” Here is a description of Jesus as the King. John look to see the one, great and terrible, Lord of lords and he beheld a Lamb as it had been slain. It was the lamb nature and characteristics that qualified Jesus to be the ruler. And so it is as we embrace the cross, eat His flesh, and drink His blood, that we will quality for His kingdom to rule and reign with Him. “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.