Monday, March 11, 2013
Isaiah 53:7 He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
WHAT CAN A LITTLE LAMB DO?
When we want protection, we do not usually look to someone who is defenseless. When our adversary is going about like a roaring lion, it would seem that the last thing we need is a little lamb. If we have a truckload to transport, we do not put it on the back of a lamb! Yet that is exactly what God did, laying the guilt of the world and it's children on the back of a lamb.
When Jacob served his uncle Laban for seven years to get Rachel for his bride, "they seemed like on a few days to him because of his love for her" (Genesis 29:20). Our Savior, on the other hand, underwent weakness and illness, dishonor, scorn, and mockery; he went through fearful trepidation, endured wounds, welts, the cross, death, the pangs of hell -- and not just seven years' worth, but in the measure that our sins deserved. And all this willingly!
When Jesus stood outside the tomb of Lazarus in Bethany, and wept, the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" And when we ponder all that he gladly suffered for all the sinners of the world, we too are forced to conclude, "See how he loved us!"
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth
The guilt of all men bearing;
And laden with the sins of earth,
None else the burden sharing!
Goes patient on grows weak and faint,
To slaughter led without complaint,
That spotless life to offer;
Bears Shame and stripes, and wounds and death,
Anguish and mockery, and saith,
"Willing all this I suffer."
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 142:1)
