A Lamb And A Scapegoat

“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, ‘Look! The Lamb of God [a]who takes away the sin of the world!'”–John 1:29 Amplified

Have you ever wondered where the term “scapegoat” comes from? It’s a pretty common one in today’s society. Usually when I hear that particular term my thoughts go directly to someone or a group of someones who have “taken the heat”  (or, as we say today, been thrown under the bus) for something he/she/they didn’t do. No doubt we have all been someone’s scapegoat at one time or another. Likewise, which is something I’m sure none of us like to talk about, it’s a better than average chance that we have made someone a scapegoat for us. I know in my lifetime I have heard and used the term “scapegoat” for the better part of my adult existence but, as it is with so many other words and phrases in the English language, had no clue as to what it really meant or its origin.

Take a little walk with me into Old Testament times, specifically the book of Leviticus. There in chapter 16 verse 10 we read, “But the goat on which the lot fell for the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement on it; it shall be sent into the wilderness as the scapegoat.”  Wow! Definitely not a 21st. century kind of concept, is it?

In the most basic of terms a scapegoat is a person or, as written in Leviticus, an animal who is blamed unjustly for the problems of others and who takes on the sins of others in the community. Oddly enough, when I was looking this up, I learned that the actual term “scapegoat” had come about as the result of being mistranslated. In 1530 William Tyndale had misread the Hebrew word “Azazel.” “Azazel” was the name of a Cannanite demon. Tyndale had meant it to read as “ez ozel”–“the goat that departs.”

Why was a scapegoat so necessary? Journey over, still in chapter 16 of Leviticus, to verses 30 and 31–“for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you, to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord.  It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute.”  Two goats along with a young bull were selected by Aaron. After casting lots one goat along with the bull were sacrificed and their blood would be brought together into the center of the temple. Why? To purify the temple High Priest and its sanctuary along with the people. From there the High Priest would touch the head of the goat chosen as the scapegoat and boldly confess the nation’s sins, symbolically transferring them over to the scapegoat. After which a man trusted by the people would then take the goat deep into the wilderness, most likely someplace dry and desolate, and release him. The animal would never be seen again.

             “This day” is a big deal in the Jewish culture and community yet today. Why? “This day” is Yom Kippur. Again, why? Yom Kippur is also called the Day of Atonement. “But, Lorelei,” you say. “it’s just another day on the calendar. What makes this day such a big deal?”

               Re-read verse 30. “..it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you..to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord…”  What’s the first thing you read? “…to cleanse…you will be clean…”  The idea of being made clean is pretty standard throughout most of the world in just about every belief system. Ah! But there is another purpose! Being clean is only the tip of the iceberg. Verse 30 goes on to add, “you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord.” “Before the Lord!” Wow! Think on that for a moment! Ours is not a God who is looking to be pacified; He is a God looking to have relationship. Relationship with you, relationship with me! Cleansing is necessary for us to be in His presence; anything less than that is just not permitted. Think of it like this–last August my daughter spent part of the week at a local writer’s camp hosted by a well known (also local) author. I followed her time through pictures on social media and the author’s website. Along with designated quiet times of reading and writing and group sharing there were also moments of fun and games, games putting dirt and water together to come up with mud. There were also pictures showing group hikes out “in the wild” and fireside sharing of that day’s writings. I was thrilled that she was able to experience this but at the same time I missed her fiercely. However when she got home and before she could sit down to supper with us she had to get cleaned up. The idea of mud shavings mixed in with that evening’s meal just did not sound appetizing. Once she got herself cleaned, she was able to sit and enjoy not just the meal but the nightly conversation that usually goes with the meal. 

Now fast forward to New Testament times and John the Baptizer is preaching and baptizing along the banks of the Jordan River. John is a strange lot, what with his wooly hair, animal skins for clothing, and wild honey dipped locusts as his mainstays, but his voice is loud and the message clear–“He said, “I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”  (John 1:23). When questioned about his purpose for baptizing, John responded, “I baptize [only] [g]in water, but among you there stands One whom you do not recognize and of whom you know nothing.  It is He [the preeminent One] who comes after me, the [h]strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie [even as His slave].”  (John 1:27)    

In the days of Aaron God called for two goats–one as a sacrifice and the other as a means of removing sin. This is where Jesus comes in. He was called to be both–the perfect sacrifice and the ultimate scapegoat. Throughout Scripture Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God. Even John made this known in the wilderness. Why was this? Because when offering a lamb to be sacrificed only the best were to be chosen; no impurities, no blemishes. This lamb had to be perfect. Jesus was man yet without sin. In every way He was perfect. As a scapegoat, the ultimate scapegoat, Jesus took our sins upon Himself when He carried His cross. With every drop of blood spilled our redemption was bought so that we could be found to be in right standing with Him. Through this same shedding of blood we, a group of sinners and ragamuffins, are made clean. We are made pure. We are made whole. Unlike the scapegoat from Leviticus, however, who was never seen again, Jesus was seen three days later after He walked out of the tomb!

All for our atonement, for our eternal salvation. Will we recognize Him as this ultimate scapegoat? Our Saviour? Our Lord?

Are we willing to be made clean?

Devotional Time

Take a moment or two and reflect on the above passages. Think of Christ and His sacrifice and what it means to you today. Invite Him to show you areas of our life that may or still need to be made clean. Journal your reflections.