Behold the Lamb of God ...

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! “ John 1:29

It is really hard for us to understand the ways of God. When we read the Old Testament sometimes, I’m sure we all think some of the things that God commanded his people to do aren’t what civilized people do! That may be why sometimes we do not get the full understanding of what Jesus has done for us.

For example, God commanded the Israelites to choose a lamb without blemish, keep it for four days, and then on the fifth day slaughter it and take the blood and put it on the frame of their doors, then the angel of death would Passover their house and their first born would live. The blood of the lamb was placed there out of obedience and consecration. Basically, a recognition of sin and the need for God to relent from the punishment. The Bible says the wages of sin is death. That’s why all humans die. But can there be a way to pass over death?

John called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In other words, Jesus was the chosen lamb of God to take away the punishment of sin forever!

It’s amazing that Jesus entered Jerusalem on the tenth day of the month of Nissan just as God had told the people to choose a lamb on the tenth day of the month of Nissan, and he also told them to slaughter the lamb on the 14⁶ day of Nissan. You can fmd all of this in Exodus 12.

Jesus was taken, tried and condemned to be crucified beginning on the 14th day Thursday evening. So, God did not go against what He had commanded, but provided the ultimate sacrifice in line with what He directed long ago that all people may have the opportunity to Passover death!

When we say yes to Jesus in faith, we have been washed by his blood and we have the promise of life after death. How do I know this? Because 3 days after the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Rose!!

All of the sacrificed lambs before never lived again, but the grave could not hold Jesus!! Alleluia!!

This Sunday as you celebrate Palm Sunday remember the great sacrifice Jesus paid. He didn’t pay for some sin of the Israelites for a year at a time, no He paid it all!

His sacrifice was for all sin, and all time! What we couldn’t do on our own, God did through Jesus!! Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!!

(Editor’s Note: This column is written by a different Littlefield pastor for the Leader-News each week. The columns are published on this page on Wednesdays.)