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A journey through Lent - 2016
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Day Twenty Nine - The Lamb.
As we move closer to Easter we start to see some of the passages we have looked at in the Old Testament starting to appear and make sense in the New Testament.
John announces that Jesus is the Lamb that God provided to take away all sins.
This is a familiar phrase to us but to the Jews of the time this would have been a shocking revelation.
For they had for centuries been sacrificing lambs at the temple and John announces that Jesus has come to end the need for those thousands of lambs which had been sacrificed.
In the text "The Lamb of God" means that Jesus is the one and only Lamb God has sent to take away our sins. He is God's gift to us.
The phrase "Takes away" indicates atonement by substitution. So he died that we may not incur God's judgement. Jesus' death puts an end to the Jewish sacrifices. This phrase is also in the present tense showing that this is available always at any time for anyone who will trust in him.
"Sin" is singular, so all previous sins are lumped together and dealt with together. "Of the world" illustrates the breadth of Christ's atonement for any person, no matter how terrible that person's sins may be. Christ invites us all to come.
There is one more word in John's proclamation: "Look." He calls us to, "Look to the Lamb of God!" for Jesus is the one who saves us as we look in faith to Him.
Bible Passage: - John 1:29-34 (NIV)
The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, "A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me." I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptising with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.'
Then John gave this testimony: 'I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit." I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One.'/p>
Contemplation Saying.
"This is God's Chosen One"
Contemplative Prayer.
Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,
Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,
Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.
Listen for God's voice in the quiet of your prayers.
Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.
Hymn: Singing the Faith - "Led like a lamb to the slaughter"
Let us pray together.
Twitter Prayer
Lovig Lord, we thank you that when we were lost, you came to find us. Amen.
Facebook Prayer
Lord Jesus, through your life, death and resurrection, you have brought us back close to your side.
When we were lost, You came to find us. To restore our wonderful relationship with God.
You became our sacrifice. You endured pain, shame, and humiliation to show us our need to return to God.
Jesus, we love You. Inspires us to be all that you have made us to be. Amen.
Full Prayer
God, our Father, we thank you that we are your beloved children.
We pray that we will know that we no longer have to long for our salvation.
Help us understand the depth of your sacrifice which atones for our sin.
Help us to walk with you as we become all you want us to be. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Lord Jesus, through your life, death and resurrection you have brought us back close to your side.
When we were lost, You came to find us. To restore our wonderful relationship with God.
You became our sacrifice. You endured pain, shame, and humiliation to show us our need to return to God.
Jesus, we love You. Inspires us to be all that you have made us to be. Amen.