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Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

2 Samuel 20-21
John 1:29-51

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

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

Reflecting on God’s Word

The Old Testament sacrificial system was a bloody mess! It was heart-wrenching to anyone who is even remotely an animal lover. In Florida, the state in which I live, you can receive a fine of up to $10,000/day and misdemeanor charges if you are sacrificing animals. If I saw someone sacrificing an animal, I would probably be the first to call law enforcement.

So, when you read about the Old Testament sacrifices, realize that while it was practiced among the Israelites and many other groups, it wasn’t necessarily a pleasant experience. It required the killing of an innocent animal. The scene often became incredibly bloody. And the burning carcass of an animal wouldn’t have been pleasant.

That being the case, why did God require the Old Testament Israelites to offer up sacrifices? Because He wanted them to realize just how offensive their sins were. He wanted them to watch as an innocent animal was killed, its blood shed, and its carcass burned on the altar. It was a clear message to the worshipper that they deserved capital punishment for their sins, but an innocent animal could be provided as a substitute as it died the death the worshipper deserved.

All of those Old Testament sacrificial lambs were “A lamb.” Each of them was just one of the thousands upon hundreds of thousands of slaughtered lambs.

But when John the Baptist saw Jesus, he didn’t call Him “A lamb.” He called Him “THE Lamb!”

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

Jesus was the ultimate and final “lamb” that would die in the place of sinful “worshippers.” He would die to take the punishment and pay the sin debt of every single person who would trust in Him. And the Old Testament sacrificial system would come to an end. No more animal sacrifices. Jesus died as our sacrifice, once and for all.

In fact, I believe that this is why shepherds were invited into the Nativity Story there in Bethlehem. They were called out of the fields to go and see the newborn Jesus wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger. Not only did shepherds get to inspect Mary’s little Lamb, but they were also given a 33-year notice that they were essentially being put out of a job. When Jesus died, there would be no more need to purchase sacrificial lambs. THE Lamb of God would die for sins and sinners once and for all!

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you realize just how much He must love you to send His Only Son to die in your place.
  • Ask God to help you live worthy of what He has done for you.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into what it meant that Jesus was the Lamb of God, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What does it mean that Jesus is the Lamb of God?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)