Monday, December 21st
29 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 (NIV)
Imagine being born for the sole purpose of being a sacrifice. That was the situation Jesus was walking into. From the beginning, Jesus’ mission was clear; He was going to take away the sins of the world. This phrase ties all the way back to Genesis 22, where Abraham is called to sacrifice Isaac. At the end of the day, God stops Abraham just in time, providing him with a ram to sacrifice. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus in anguish over the coming of his suffering prays “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) But with Jesus, there was no alternative. God was providing one last lamb for Israel (and now all of humanity). Jesus Christ was the final and perfect lamb sent to redeem each and every one of us. Jesus willingly surrendered to the will of the father in becoming that Lamb for sacrifice. At this time of advent take time to “behold” the coming of the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Author Ian Jeffries & Tom Hartung
