Spotless but not blameless

"And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless."

The Greek word here is actually amomos, which literally means "spotless" or "without blemish". In classical Greek, it was used to describe a sacrifice that was free of anything that would defile it or make it unworthy as an offering. It's the same word used in Hebrews 9:14 - "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

As the Lamb is a blameless and worthy sacrifice, so we too become blameless and worthy of sacrifice. Awesome.

Wait a second. Sacrifice?! No, no, no. I thought the Lamb was eternally glorified - that was the bandwagon I meant to jump on with this whole thing. Jesus, I think I must have been misled.

As it turns out, the actual Greek word for "blameless" (which is how most of our English translations translate amomos) is another word entirely. The word amemptos literally means "unblamed." Unfortunately the way of the Lamb does not at all mean "unblamed", and we clearly see Jesus accused again and again for crimes He did not commit.

"In the world you will have trouble, but take courage - I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

It all comes back to being sealed but not safe. I am not unblamed, and He doesn't promise that I will be, by any means. But I am without blemish. When we walk with the Lamb, we become like the Lamb, which means we are worthy of sacrifice. Our worth and depth of meaning come when we offer ourselves up as living sacrifices to the Father as we follow the Lamb wherever He goes.