2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Judges 13:1-14:20 ESV, John 1:29-51 ESV, Psalm 102:1-28 ESV, Proverbs 14:15-16 ESV
Daily Verse: “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 ESV)
AMNOS (286): “A lamb, is used figuratively of Christ: Jn 1:29, 36, with the article, pointing Him out as the expected One, the One to be well known the personal fulfillment and embodiment of all that had been indicated I the OT, the One by whose sacrifice deliverance from divine judgment was to be obtained.”[i]
Christ the Lamb.
Referring to someone as a sacrificial lamb means blaming an individual for something they didn’t do to protect someone else.[i] Jesus willingly took on the role for us.
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7 ESV)
Jesus endured agony to bring salvation to the world. Without uttering a word, He persevered through the pain, knowing we couldn’t find life without His death. Yet we cringe at the thought of having to sacrifice anything.
Holy Sacrifice
Writing on the Monday of Holy Week, the pastor’s words from the Sunday message impact me:
“What would you do if you knew in six days you were going to be murdered?” Mike Cooke
Jesus ate dinner at Lazarus’ house, enjoying time with His friends. Martha busied herself serving everyone while Mary anointed Jesus with pure nard, preparing Jesus for His burial (John 12:1 ESV). God’s Son knew Dad’s plan. Instead of worrying, Jesus enjoyed the moment, not fretting about His coming sacrifice.
The Lamb of God lived life to the fullest, then sacrificed His so we could. Placing our faith in Jesus means letting go of our past, embracing a future full of hope. When we lay our burdens at the foot of the Cross, we receive Christ’s mercy. We can trust the Savior for tomorrow, forgiven and free, living in the moment, enjoying today.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 17) Thomas Nelson
[i]https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/sacrificiallamb#:~:text=If%20you%20refer%20to%20someone,a%20system%20that%20destroyed%20him.
