The world thinks of Jesus as Just a Good Example, which is a much more rational, palatable image than Jesus as Lamb, Lord and Savior.
In his book, Jesus the King, Tim Keller reminds us that there’s a reason we know otherwise (emphasis added).
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“When you see Jesus caring for the poor, forgiving his enemies without bitterness, sacrificing his life for others, living a perfectly loving and perfectly sinless life, you say, ‘I can’t do that’.
You’re right – you can’t.
Jesus Christ as only an example will crush you; you will never be able to live up to it. But Jesus Christ as the Lamb will save you.”
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For those of us (and anyone) prone to self-loathing, neuroticism, how wonderful.
Keller’s words again: “Jesus Christ as only example will crush you; you will never be able to live up to it. But Jesus Christ as the Lamb will save you.”
In your own personal life and mine, if you’re feeling crushed by the weight of your failures (as I often am), and you’re thinking all the “God, how’s?” and by that I mean, “God, how can you put up with me?” “God, how can you forgive me again?” “God, how can you still love me?”
The answer will always be — because he came as a lamb for us. As Good News for us. As the ones to rescue us from ourselves.
It’s only when we grasp this grace that we’ll then extend it. And Christ the Lamb is that grace.
When you and I focus solely on Christ as Lamb, then we’ll become more like him, but not until then.
Which is why the Lamb is always greater than The Example.
