Christ' resurrection is the cornerstone upon which our faith in him is built. For all the claims, statements, teaching and truth which came out of Jesus' mouth, there is one supreme proof which confirms and ultimately solidifies the things we accept when we make our confession of faith in him.

Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

How could one man "take away the sins of the world"?

One of the greatest claims regarding Jesus was that of his power over sin. It was a claim that first John the baptist made about Jesus when he came to John to be baptized.

"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 ESV

Let this sink in. John didn't say that he would forgive, absolve, or excuse, John said he takes away the sins of the world. To emphasize what he was saying, John literally said "taking away, he would take away" the sins of the world.

In Greek it is αἴρω airō,  to take up, take away:– take, picked up… [Strongs G149).

Perhaps you have watched a strong man competition which included the pulling of massive objects as they strained with every fiber to move those humongous objects (including planes, trains or large trucks).  We cannot find an adequate illustration to show the true volume of the sins of the world en masse. It would defy our comprehension to calculate over the many generations of humanity the cumulative guilt from sin. The wide river of mankind hurtling toward eternity separated from God, being powerfully diverted by one man who would withstand that flood of sin to save the whole of humanity alone.

Why "the LAMB of God"?

When we think of a powerful animal, one capable of pulling or bearing a great weight or burden, we don't usually think of a LAMB, but John said Jesus was a lamb?

He said Jesus was "the Lamb of God" because lambs were used for sacrifices for sins. For the Passover they offered a lamb to cover a whole household to purify them  (Exodus 12:1-7). It took many lambs to purify all the households of Israel for Passover but John said Jesus alone would redeem the whole world from its sins.

The Lamb of God would have to be pure or "without blemish."

Peter wrote,

"but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. " 1 Peter 1:19 ESV

Jesus taught many amazing things but perhaps the most amazing thing which he taught, was he claimed he was sinless. Standing in the midst of his enemies he boldly challenged them saying,

"Which one of you convicts me of sin?" John 8:46 ESV

Would you say this? Could you say this? How quickly would the answers come back at you? Yet JESUS did say this and no one answered with a charge of sin. They were silent. I know I wouldn't dare challenge a crowd to start listing my sins! I would be a sitting target. Earlier in the same chapter of John's gospel , Jesus challenged the accusers of the woman caught in adultery,

“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7 ESV

He knew the hearts of all and he knew that the guilt of sin could be applied to each one who stood there condemning this woman. He knew that though they were ready to stone her to death, Jesus could turn around and demand that the accusers be stoned for the sins which they had committed. This is the state of man: guilty as charged and deserving of death. (Romans 3:23; 6:23) Jesus also knew that all man has the death penalty for sin hanging over their heads.

"I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” John 8:24 ESV

Jesus" message was not like the "feel good, go along to get along" message of many people today! He was not afraid to assert his own sinlessness nor to condemn the world for its sinfulness but it wasn't out of arrogance or some joy in seeing others be condemned, it was a fact! He said,

"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin." and again in the next verse "If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father." John 8:22, 24 ESV

The case against the world for sin is rock solid. Jesus taught them truthfully and his works proved what he said! The world is in the same condition today and Jesus still tells us the truth! The fact that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin is the result of the fact that Jesus' resurrection proves he is free from the guilt of sin.

"And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me" John 16:8-9 ESV

You see, if Jesus committed sin, then he was in no position to condemn the world for our sins. He was a hypocrite and a fraud and not the Son of God! You may wonder, "How can I know that Jesus never sinned?" We have never known anyone who lived a perfect and sinless life. Also we were not there to see every moment of Jesus' life to know if he ever sinned. How could we know?

Jesus once said,

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1 ESV

Do you believe in God?

Do you believe in God's truthfulness?

Notice how God declared Jesus' sinlessness on at least three occasions. First, when Jesus was baptized of John,

"And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11 ESV

Second, when Jesus was transfigured before witnesses,

"a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5 ESV

And third, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead. Remember, when we noticed that Peter confirmed that Christ is "a lamb without blemish or spot…"? Notice just a few words later,

"who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory," 1 Peter 1:21 ESV

Peter is saying the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead is proof that Jesus lived his life sinlessly pure. He was sinless and pure so that he could be the Lamb of God and Jesus' resurrection from the dead is proof positive that God accepted Jesus' life as a pure sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Although we are removed by many years from the cross where Jesus died, we can look upon the earthly life which was surrendered into the hands of God the Father and answer, like the centurion who actually saw him give up his spirit that this man was innocent.

"Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” Luke 23:46-47 ESV

To this confession, God the Father adds His affirmation by Jesus' resurrection.

Michael Franklin