Why is Jesus referred to as the Lamb of God?

The designation 'Lamb of God' given to Jesus signifies His role as the sacrificial offering for the sins of humanity. This term emphasizes the prophetic fulfillment of Old Testament sacrifices, where a lamb was often offered for atonement. In John 1:29, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as 'the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,' connecting Him directly to the sacrificial system established in the law (Exodus 12). The imagery of the lamb, particularly in the Passover, highlights God’s provision for salvation through sacrifice. By His death, Jesus fulfills both the legal requirements of the Old Testament and God's plan for redemption, validating His identity as the sacrificial Lamb.