The Lamb of God here is a direct reference to Jesus, whom John the Baptist proclaimed to be the Lamb of God: “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) This proclamation was astounding in that it proclaimed Jesus as the only one who could be sacrificed for the atonement of sin. This is, of course, what we celebrated on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday that Jesus, the Lamb of God, would lay down his life for us so that we may have life eternally in heaven and abundantly on earth.

And so, in a threefold act of praise, we proclaim Jesus’ sacrifice as the Lamb of God and we simply state “have mercy on us.” This is both a petition and a thanksgiving. Jesus is the only one who can truly have mercy on us and the only one who truly has had mercy on us. As a result peace - true peace - is available to us in Christ. This is the peace that comes through reconciliation with God the Father, wrought by Jesus’ sacrifice and the peace that “passes all understanding.” It comes with the assurance of both our salvation and that we are loved beyond measure by our Heavenly Father who has made us His children by adoption.

This coming Sunday as you sing or say this beautiful prayer I bid you to open your hearts and minds to receive and acknowledge the mercy and peace that can be found in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and Him alone!

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Bishop Menees