Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Fourth Christmas Day
John 1:29 John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
A FLOCK OF PRE-MINDERS
When Jesus was born, angels announced His birth to shepherds. Thus, God emphasized that this little Savior came to save all sinners; from the king on his throne to the poor shepherd in his field.
But perhaps there was another reason that God directs our attention to these shepherds. With their flocks feeding just six miles from the great Temple in Jerusalem, no doubt some of these lambs were destined for sacrifice.
Day after day animals died in the Temple for things they didn't do. Their life blood was poured out because of the sins of the people. With each sacrifice offered, God said: "This is how your forgiveness will be effected: the innocent sacrificed in place of the guilty."
In Genesis 3:21, God covered up Adam and Eve's nakedness with animal skins. This was the first time the death of the innocent covered the shame of the guilty. But it sure wouldn't be the last time. On Mt. Moriah a ram was sacrificed in place of Isaac (Genesis 22:13-14). In Egypt a lamb died in place of the firstborn (Exodus 12:12-13). The original scapegoat was banished to die in the wilderness in place of the Israelite people (Leviticus 16:20-22).
With this concept firmly in mind, mankind could understand what the Savior's death meant when they saw it happen.
Two thousand years ago, shepherds watched flocks near Bethlehem. Each shaggy goat, each little lamb, was a PRE-MINDER of the way God would restore sinners to Himself.
Today, worship the Christ Child with great joy and complete peace. He is the Lamb that all these other lambs pointed to. He is the, "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), and that includes yours and mine.
