“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29 · KJV
This hymn sings the single sentence John the Baptist spoke as Jesus walked toward him at the Jordan — Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. That sentence is the door through which every Good Friday walks. It names Christ by the ancient title the household of Israel had been waiting a thousand years to hear, and it says the cost — every sin the world hath borne — will be paid by the Lamb himself.
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29 · KJV
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Revelation 5:12 · KJV
Companion passages: Isaiah 53:7 ("as a lamb to the slaughter") · 1 Peter 1:19 ("precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish") · Revelation 5:9 ("thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood").
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The Cross is not a rescue that Christ endured; it is a rescue that Christ freely chose. The hymn insists on this: not by force but freely offered. Every wound the Lamb suffered was a wound He let happen for the household of God. And the ending is not the tomb — the ending is the anthem the elders sing round the throne in Revelation 5, when the slain Lamb receives power and blessing and glory forever. The household that sings this hymn is rehearsing the anthem it will join.
O Lamb of God who takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on this house. Wash us in the blood so dear that we cannot count its cost. Teach us to bless as thou art blessed, and to walk toward every Friday knowing Sunday comes. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Read John 1:29 aloud before breakfast. Sing Verse 1. Then read Isaiah 53:7 ("as a lamb to the slaughter") and sing Verse 2. Let the two Scriptures embrace one another over the day's first meal.
On Fridays especially — and every evening as feels right — sing the Bridge and let "Worthy is the Lamb" be the last word before the household sleeps. It is the same word the elders sing without ceasing.
Show the children a picture of a lamb. Ask them: what gentle thing did the Lamb do for us? Read John 1:29 in your own soft voice, then sing Verse 3 together. Let them know that every household is welcome round the throne.