No Ordinary Lamb

Something to think about.

No Ordinary Lamb

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29
 

John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the lamb of God.  Interesting analogy.  John also describes Jesus in this way.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3

 

In verse 29 John describes Jesus as a lamb. Basically, a defenseless docile creature in need of protection. An innocent, blameless sacrifice, powerless to keep from being killed. In verse 1, he describes Jesus as being at the beginning of time with God. Jesus is the creator of the universe and everything in it. How do you go from the creator of the universe to the Lamb of God? These descriptions of Jesus occur in the same chapter.

Jesus never gave up his deity. He willingly, with full knowledge choose to become the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of man.  While being the lamb of God, He did not give up His power to defeat humanity and the devil. He, as the Lamb of God still possessed the power to end it all.  No, where in the new testament is it stated or suggested that Jesus had abdicated His position as the one true son of God.  He never stopped being the Son of God. Why does that matter? He could have stopped His crucifixion at any time. He had the power as the Son of God to execute His wishes at any time.

This is amazing, at any moment from the time they arrested Him to His death on the cross he could have stopped it. He could have stopped the torture and cleansed humanity by force. In an instant, He could have risen from the torture and vanquished all of His foes.

He chose to die for us. He knew He could have put a stop to it with a word.  He had the right, the power and the ability to stop the torture at any time.

Jesus decided to become a sacrificial lamb not because he had no choice but in spite of having all power.  He became the sacrificial Lamb of God because of His love for us.  The most difficult part for me to understand is, having all the power of the universe at His disposal, He did not use it.

We, all of humanity exist today because He chose not to put a stop to His murder.

 

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Better to Obey Than Repent

Something to think about.

Better to Obey Than Repent

22 And Samuel said,

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

and to listen than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)

Obedience, a word that might as well be the four letter word. Yet it is the word that best describes God's desire for those who claim to be His. It is not because He is master and we are servants, it is because in obedience we find the greatest blessings. If we obeyed God, a sacrifice would not be required. In obedience is where we find peace, joy, purpose, love, happiness, fulfillment, and rest. In short, all the beautiful things of life are abundantly available to us if we would obey.  

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Confession

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Confession

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10
While we seek and preach, success, prosperity, health, joy, happiness, sacrifice, and work where does confession come in? Have we forgotten or regulated our most important of  beliefs to a hidden corner of our theology?  If we confess our sins, His forgiveness opens the door to all the things we seek and preach about? If we are cleansed from all unrighteousness what is left but blessing?

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Bondservant

Something to think about.

Bondservant

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7

It is one thing to be born a servant. It is quite a different thing to be the King Of Kings, and willingly become a servant to the very same people He rules. That is what Jesus did, He gave up his power, prestige, authority, sovereignty, majesty, glory, and all the other kingly attributes, to become a servant to man. To be Christ-like is to be a bondservant of Christ. It is to willingly lay down all of our titles and take up our positions behind our King and becomes as He was a servant.  

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He Breathed His Last

Something to think about.

He Breathed His Last

46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

It actually happened He was crucified for my sin.

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