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Thursday, March 15, 2012
Ewe with lamb on a farm we visited this week.
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"The Lamb Of God"
"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).
The spring season will soon officially arrive, though we've been enjoying spring like weather for days. The flowering trees are starting to bloom, gardeners are pulling weeds that grew during our unusually mild winter and spring crops are being planted. Another delightful evidence of the spring season is the arrival of many young lambs in the meadows around us. It's delightful to watch these tiny and very dependent lambs a short time after they're born, bounding about on wobbly legs, exploring their new world and yet remaining closeby within the shadow of their mother's presence.
A couple of days ago we visited our friend's farm and, not surprisingly, a ewe had recently given birth to twins. Brooksyne grew up on a farm where they had lots of goats so she has a special place in her heart for these playful animals. Sheep are much the same way, though I would consider them a bit more timid. We were especially delighted when the family introduced us to a pet lamb and invited us to hold and feed her.
There is a distinct degree of softness when petting a lamb's ear! The lamb on Brooksyne's lap is a twin to the lamb seen in the photo above our message, but has been outright rejected by her mother. So she's been adopted by the family! She has become very domesticated while being bottle fed and is quite comfortable around the children. She came right up to us wanting to be petted and given attention, and was happy snuggling with the dogs as well. It's pretty hard to observe a lamb for any length of time without considering how it was used in such a powerful way throughout the Bible.
In the Old Testament the word "lamb" is used almost exclusively in a literal sense in relation to the sacrificial system of the Law of Moses. In the New Testament the word "lamb" is used almost exclusively to describe Jesus Christ. The one notable exception in the Old Testament is a remarkable prophecy by Isaiah, in which he speaks of the Messiah being "brought as a lamb to the slaughter" (53:7).
I believe John had this prophetic statement in mind when, upon seeing Jesus, he declared, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." It's interesting that this statement was made before Christ even began his public ministry or had given any teaching regarding His forthcoming death. John seems to be speaking with revelation from God, for indeed the main reason that Christ came to this earth was to take away sin.
The greatest concentrated use of the word "lamb" in the Bible is found in the book of Revelation and all but one of them is a reference to Christ as the "Lamb of God." Today, let us remember this glorious Lamb who was sacrificed once and for all for the sins of this world and let us commit ourselves fully to His cause!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Lamb
of God, I worship You for all You are and thank You for all that You
have done. Only You could appease the heart of the Father to bring
loving reconciliation and eternal hope to the human race. The curse of
sin was lifted when You became the Sacrificial Lamb. Thank You for Your
complete obedience and unending compassion. Amen.
At times I've wondered if John, cousin to Jesus, ever talked with Him about spiritual things during their childhood. Did Jesus tell him when they played together as children, "When I grow up I'm going to die for the sins of the world"?
Ester also enjoyed feeding the lamb but didn't care to hold her. (I suppose that's the difference of not having a farm background.)
We visited with Jesse, our friend, for a few minutes before he ran an errand and took what is known as the "Spring wagon" to a neighbor's house to get some eggs. (Our friends consent to our using these photos for our daily encouragement ministry. In fact they are always pleased when we print out our Bible messages and deliver them upon our visits to their home.)
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Lamb Of Glory" Video Steve Green This song beautifully represents the gospel
"Worthy Is The Lamb" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir What a joy to listen to and watch this choir! It surely is a glimpse of heaven. The Brooklyn Tabernacle is an excellent example of a church remaining faithful in the city.
"Lamb Of God" Video Twila Paris
"Jesus, Lamb Of God" Video An unspecified choir with soloists. Nice job!
Send
a message
to Stephen &
Brooksyne
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Ewe with lamb on a farm we visited this week.
Listen
to this
message on
your
audio player."The Lamb Of God"
"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).
The spring season will soon officially arrive, though we've been enjoying spring like weather for days. The flowering trees are starting to bloom, gardeners are pulling weeds that grew during our unusually mild winter and spring crops are being planted. Another delightful evidence of the spring season is the arrival of many young lambs in the meadows around us. It's delightful to watch these tiny and very dependent lambs a short time after they're born, bounding about on wobbly legs, exploring their new world and yet remaining closeby within the shadow of their mother's presence.
A couple of days ago we visited our friend's farm and, not surprisingly, a ewe had recently given birth to twins. Brooksyne grew up on a farm where they had lots of goats so she has a special place in her heart for these playful animals. Sheep are much the same way, though I would consider them a bit more timid. We were especially delighted when the family introduced us to a pet lamb and invited us to hold and feed her.
There is a distinct degree of softness when petting a lamb's ear! The lamb on Brooksyne's lap is a twin to the lamb seen in the photo above our message, but has been outright rejected by her mother. So she's been adopted by the family! She has become very domesticated while being bottle fed and is quite comfortable around the children. She came right up to us wanting to be petted and given attention, and was happy snuggling with the dogs as well. It's pretty hard to observe a lamb for any length of time without considering how it was used in such a powerful way throughout the Bible.
In the Old Testament the word "lamb" is used almost exclusively in a literal sense in relation to the sacrificial system of the Law of Moses. In the New Testament the word "lamb" is used almost exclusively to describe Jesus Christ. The one notable exception in the Old Testament is a remarkable prophecy by Isaiah, in which he speaks of the Messiah being "brought as a lamb to the slaughter" (53:7).
I believe John had this prophetic statement in mind when, upon seeing Jesus, he declared, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." It's interesting that this statement was made before Christ even began his public ministry or had given any teaching regarding His forthcoming death. John seems to be speaking with revelation from God, for indeed the main reason that Christ came to this earth was to take away sin.
The greatest concentrated use of the word "lamb" in the Bible is found in the book of Revelation and all but one of them is a reference to Christ as the "Lamb of God." Today, let us remember this glorious Lamb who was sacrificed once and for all for the sins of this world and let us commit ourselves fully to His cause!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Lamb
of God, I worship You for all You are and thank You for all that You
have done. Only You could appease the heart of the Father to bring
loving reconciliation and eternal hope to the human race. The curse of
sin was lifted when You became the Sacrificial Lamb. Thank You for Your
complete obedience and unending compassion. Amen.At times I've wondered if John, cousin to Jesus, ever talked with Him about spiritual things during their childhood. Did Jesus tell him when they played together as children, "When I grow up I'm going to die for the sins of the world"?
Ester also enjoyed feeding the lamb but didn't care to hold her. (I suppose that's the difference of not having a farm background.)
We visited with Jesse, our friend, for a few minutes before he ran an errand and took what is known as the "Spring wagon" to a neighbor's house to get some eggs. (Our friends consent to our using these photos for our daily encouragement ministry. In fact they are always pleased when we print out our Bible messages and deliver them upon our visits to their home.)
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Lamb Of Glory" Video Steve Green This song beautifully represents the gospel
"Worthy Is The Lamb" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir What a joy to listen to and watch this choir! It surely is a glimpse of heaven. The Brooklyn Tabernacle is an excellent example of a church remaining faithful in the city.
"Lamb Of God" Video Twila Paris
"Jesus, Lamb Of God" Video An unspecified choir with soloists. Nice job!
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
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