If you’re looking for ways to retain what you learned at TGC11 on seeing Jesus and the gospel in the Old Testament, I cannot recommend an album more highly than Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God (available for instant download for $10). Don Carson and Tim Keller organized the TGC11 plenary sessions to showcase the epic scope of the gospel story from all of Scripture, and you’ll see the same commitment at work in Peterson’s songs. Explaining the idea behind Behold the Lamb of God, Peterson said:
At its core, it was to present the story of Christmas in a new way. I wanted to reach deep into the Old Testament and sing about the Passover, and King David, and Isaiah’s prophecies. I wanted to capture with song the same thrill that captured me in Bible college when the epic scope of the gospel story first bowled me over. But I didn’t just want to dwell on what came before Jesus’ birth. I wanted to sing about what came after. His crucifixion and resurrection were the reasons he was born in the first place. You can’t have Christmas without Easter. So there was a lot of ground to cover with a handful of songs, and I had my doubts.
Behold the Lamb: The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ tells the story of Jesus from the creation of the world to the redemption of humanity through his own death as the sacrificial Lamb of God. The song “Passover Us” tells the story of the first Passover as Moses instructed the people to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, as God acted on their behalf to free them from slavery. The next song, “So Long, Moses,” surveys the Old Testament from Joshua to Saul, then from David to the Prophets, culminating with Isaiah’s description of the suffering servant whose wounds would bring healing to others.
Rooted in Old Testament narrative, Peterson captures the essence of Christ’s coming and consequently the gospel, to deliver us from our sins through the atoning sacrifice of his own life as the ultimate Passover Lamb. Allowing the biblical story to be told on its own terms, the realities of judgment, slavery, and sin are clearly expressed, as well as the beauties of redemption, atonement, and grace.
I could write much more, but the album speaks best for itself—it’s the true tale well told.
…the old, old story
Of the pow’r of Death undone
(“Gather ‘Round, Ye Children, Come”)
As we reflect upon our time together last week and listen to the messages again, may our hearts behold the Lamb with greater joy and wonder, joining the chorus in heaven that declares, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:12)
Behold, the Lamb of God
Who takes away our sin
Behold the Lamb of God
The life and light of men
Behold the Lamb of God
Who died and rose again
Behold the Lamb of God who comes
To take away our sin
(“Behold the Lamb of God”)
Is there enough evidence for us to believe the Gospels?
In an age of faith deconstruction and skepticism about the Bible’s authority, it’s common to hear claims that the Gospels are unreliable propaganda. And if the Gospels are shown to be historically unreliable, the whole foundation of Christianity begins to crumble.
