THE LAMB
Bernadette Keene
Today’s Scripture: “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
Theme: Jesus, the Lamb of God, defeats sin by His sacrifice.
MEEK AND LOWLY
While on a walk with a friend, I shared that I was getting ready to write a devotion about Jesus being the Lamb of God and confessed that I was not sure what to write. We walked and talked, and we began to discuss the attributes of lambs. Lambs are gentle and meek in nature; they are innocent; have a pure white color to their fleece; and are small and fragile, yet not fearful. Then confirmation came from God when she showed me a picture of the lambs that she had taken the day before! All the qualities we had talked about were evidenced in the picture. Lambs are vulnerable, reflecting the humility of Jesus and His willingness to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Jesus… meek, lowly, gentle, and humble, the sinless and pure Lamb of God. When I think about my relationship with Jesus and the way He loves me, the gentle attributes of a lamb are what I think of. Even when He is correcting me, it is always with a gentle hand.
POWER IN THE BLOOD
Jesus describes Himself as gentle and lowly in heart in Matthew 11:29, but we must not forget the power in the blood. In the Old Testament, lambs were used as sacrifices, particularly during Passover as sin offerings and a means for atonement to cover sins. In Exodus 12:13, the blood of a sacrificial lamb was brushed on the top and sides of doorposts to protect the people inside from death as the Lord passed over bringing the death plague to the Egyptians. The Old Testament sacrificial system required the offering of something perfect and precious to atone for sins, the blood from an unblemished lamb. Today, because of Jesus offering Himself as the spotless perfect Lamb of God, our sins are forever atoned for. The only requirement is faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world and a willingness to turn from sin and trust in Him alone.
Make It Personal: When I think of Jesus and my personal relationship with Him, I always become emotional. As I remember who I was before Jesus rescued me and who I am today, it makes me feel so grateful that despite the pain and the troubles He said we would face, I can rest in the truth that He has overcome the world, and my struggles and trials are only temporary. It does not mean that we will never suffer, but it does mean that He is right here with us through it all.
Pray: Lord, thank You for the tender way You love us through the difficulties of this turbulent and daunting life. There are days that are harder than others, but as we rest in Your promises, we are comforted. Thank You for being the final sacrifice and for the power in Your blood to save us. Amen.
Read: Exodus 12:13; Matthew 11:29; Colossians 1:20
Weekly Memory Verse: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15, ESV