Wednesday March 6, 2024

Today is Wednesday, March 6 and we are reading through the first chapter of the Gospel of John.

Holy and loving God, I long to experience your abiding presence. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, enable me to hear the message you have for me today. As I read from the Gospel of John, speak to my heart and mind in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward 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 baptizing 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 baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” John 1:29-34

There are many references to lambs in the Bible. Abraham desired a lamb to sacrifice to God and he provided a ram in the thicket (Genesis 22:8). There was the Lamb of the prophet Isaiah who was slaughtered for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53:7). The Passover Lamb was slain at the time of the Exodus (Exodus 12). The book of Revelation speaks of a slain yet triumphant Lamb who is Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 5:6, 7:17, 17:14). Then there is the image of the “scapegoat”. On the Day of Atonement, the priest laid his hands on the head of an animal, transferring the sin of all the people onto the hapless creature and then sent it out into the wilderness to remove the community’s collective guilt (Leviticus 16:20).

John the Baptist spoke of Jesus as the Lamb of God. This is not just any ordinary lamb. The source of the lamb is God himself. Humans are unable to make atonement for sins on our own, we are helpless. Yet, God made a way. God provided the sacrifice. God’s gift takes away our sin. The guilt and stain of our trespasses and transgressions are laid on the Lamb of God who suffered a sacrificial death on a cross. Jesus takes away our sin. By his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Through his suffering, death and resurrection we have life and salvation. Our sins are forgiven. Completely. And not just my sins and your sins, the sins of the entire world. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. There is nothing that cannot be forgiven, no one who cannot be redeemed, and no soul who is too far away from his love. Just one drop of the precious blood of the Son of God has the power to overcome the sin and evil of every one for all time.

Ask: Have I laid my sins before the Lamb of God? Do I have the assurance of forgiveness, salvation and freedom in the name of Jesus?

Pause and Pray

Jesus, you are the Lamb of God who came to take away my sin, and set me free to live a life of holiness and love. I am completely helpless to redeem myself and count on your amazing grace and mercy to be my Savior. May your precious blood wash me clean, restore me to life and bring me home.
Amen.