There are a lot of animals in God's creation that are fierce, powerful, and dangerous. Anyone living in Florida quickly learns that alligators are vicious eating machines that ought not be messed with. People in other parts of our country are wise to be concerned with other animals, like bears or mountain lions. There are a number of animals that command our respect and cause us to use caution, especially the caution of avoidance. From small, poisonous snakes to large, powerful mammals they form a long list of creatures that strike fear in our hearts. Not surprisingly, lambs don't make that list.
There's nothing about a lamb that would cause us concern. Far from striking fear into our hearts, we see lambs as cute and cuddly. It's hard to think of a lamb of being powerful or able to take on an enemy. Lambs are weak and defenseless. Not only can't a lamb overpower another animal, it doesn't stand a chance when attacked by a predator like a lion or bear. Lions and tigers and bears may strike us as fierce animals able to fight and win the battle of survival, but not a lamb.
When Jesus came to the earth to live His life for our salvation He was not heralded as a powerful and fearsome predator to contend with, like a tiger or bear. No, he was called the Lamb of God. His being likened to a lamb shows us what kind of Messiah we have in Jesus. He didn't come to fight an earthly battle on earthly terms, but He came is a way that is despised by the world. He came not as the predator, but as the prey. He came in weakness and vulnerability. He came to be just like us.
As a lamb, Jesus was being prepared to become the sacrifice that would take away the sins of the world. He had to live His life on this earth in weakness and suffering, bearing the pain and sorrow of life in a sinful world, so that He would be just like us. In His weakness He demonstrated His power, for this Lamb was not like any lamb before or since. He was the Lamb of God, sent to win the victory over sin, death, and the devil — the most feared of all creatures. And by His death He won that victory for you. Not a lamb, but the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of world.
