Message from Scripture: 11/02/2020

 

Our message from Scripture today is John 1:29; “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

 

When John identified Jesus as the lamb of God, there were several images one could think of. There was the Passover lamb (Ex. 12:5, 13). There was the daily sacrificial lamb (Ex. 29:38-39, 42). There was also the lamb of prophecy, which John was identifying Christ as being (Isa. 53:7). What does it mean for us that Christ is the lamb of God?

 

The idea of sacrifice is certainly involved in this image. A lamb was offered in many sacrifices; it was almost certainly the most common sacrificial animal. The temple sacrifices were a continual reminder of sin and of the necessity of doing something about it. A lamb and a sacrifice were almost synonymous. We have been redeemed “with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:19).

 

Yes, only the blood of Jesus can cancel our debt of sin and offer us forgiveness. All those animal sacrifices offered before Christ died, were dependent on what Christ would do. Apart from Him, the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins (Heb. 10:4). Jesus’ forgiveness is always available, not for just a day, or a week, but always. If we walk in the light, the blood of Christ continues to cleanse us of our sins (1 John 1:7). Every time we need forgiveness, it’s available to us. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

 

What a price had to be paid for our cleansing, but Christ is the lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice for our sins, who freely and willingly offered Himself to set us free. Give thanks to God today, and live for Him. God bless.

 

Robert