Behold the Lamb of God

I fared forth from the habitations of men. I was weary of those whom I knew best. They had posed as the custodians of virtue, the representatives of the Almighty, and the guides of our race in all that was pure and right. I discerned nothing but what was base, unworthy, yea, even wicked, in all their loud professions, and the stench of their vile schemings and jealousies revolted my very soul.

Then, with a deep sense of my commission burning in my soul, down there by Jordan's banks I commenced my task as the herald of the Highest. At first, a few  curious shepherds and some who were going forth to their day's toil were all who heard me. But the news spread. My message had been thrust upon me from above, and the burden of it was, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

...

It was the next day. How the memory of it lingers! We were walking by Jordan's banks, Andrew, John, and I, when I saw Jesus in the distance. Immediately I stopped. I saw the look of wonder in the faces of my two friends, for they knew not why I had thus suddenly halted. They followed the direction of my finger, and to my lips rose the words, 'Behold, the Lamb of God.'

My mind had spanned the centuries. I now saw these things glowing with new meaning. The scourge of judgment for wrongdoing none could escape. Life was so constituted. But in the infinite mercy of the Holy One repentance brought forgiveness. Yet it could be only at the incalculable cost to the love that would reclaim the sinner. And thus, the Incarnate Son of God had assumed our mortal life to show us what God is like and what man should be. He had come to give himself for man's redemption. And as that lamb of the Old Covenant signified deliverance through faith, though only by the sacrifice of its life, so here was the fulfillment of the ancient figure which, on our Day of Remembrance, had been perpetuated.

~ J.W.G. Ward, The Glorious Galilean