Encore Post: In early posts we talked a little bit about the terms Ordinary and Proper in terms of the Divine Service. Today we come to the final Ordinary hymn: the Agnus Dei. The hymn itself came into the Liturgy around the beginning of the 8th Century.
In light of the Sacrament of the Altar which the congregation is preparing to receive we get to actually “look upon the Lamb of God”, Jesus Christ, present in his body and blood on the altar, calling us to eat and drink it for the forgiveness of our sins. The hymn also picks up nearly all the other themes of the Divine Service liturgy.
The title “Lamb of God” comes from the statement by John the Baptist in John 1:29. However, the image of the Lamb of God is something that is everywhere in the Old Testament. The work of Atonement is prominent. The Lamb led to the slaughter now has now been slain and been sacrificed at the cross. Christ, says Paul is our Passover Lamb. Now alive again, He gives us the very things that were a sacrifice. The Lamb stands at the throne and gives his faithful people His gifts, namely forgiveness of sins and his peace.
The hymn typically has 3 stanzas, three petitions, where the congregation asks for Christ to have mercy on them in the first two stanzas. In the third, the congregation asks for the peace of Christ, which they just heard in the Pax Domini. Again, like the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer is answered in receiving the Sacrament of the Altar.
In some churches, the congregation sings this hymn while kneeling. In others congregations, they stand. As a pastor I look directly at the chalice and paten, adoring and pondering the very mystery over which I am a steward. Christ’s body and His blood is there, we all get to set our eyes on the “Lamb of God, who has come!” The petition of the Sanctus is fulfilled. The One who comes in the Name of the Lord is with us and we not only get to behold Him, but we get to now come forward to His table to be fed His body and His Blood. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Rev. Jacob Hercamp
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
La Grange, MO
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So well said. I really enjoy your posts on the Divine Service.
Kathy,
Thank you for reading the posts. I give thanks to God that people find them to be helpful and an enjoyable commentary. I love the liturgy and I love being able to help others better understand what’s happening in the liturgy.
Amen