Page 3  January 8, 2012

    But Jesus did die, and that is where the good news comes to us.  As Isaiah prophesied, Jesus went uncomplaining like a lamb to its slaughter.  Because he did die, because he was sacrificed, because his blood was shed, we are in close communion with God.  We can pray to him as dear children ask their fathers.  We can come and worship him.  We know he will never punish us because Jesus was punished in our place.  God is not scary.  He is our loving and dear father.

II.  This Savior is the Son of God.

    We also learn that this Lamb is God himself, Jesus, the Son of God.  “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.  I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’  I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.””

    You and I, even John the Baptist, have no right to be near Jesus or even to untie his shoes as slaves because he is God himself.  John learned this when he baptized Jesus.  At that moment, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove.  Then the voice of God spoke from heaven, proving that Jesus is his Son, the Second person of the Trinity, God himself.    That is why he alone is able to take away our sins.  I can’t take away your sins.  My blood can only pay for my sins.  But the blood of the innocent, sinless, holy Son of God can and does remove your sins!

    And this Lamb now sits on the throne of heaven.  Let me take you to Revelation.  “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.  He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.  And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

    This Jesus, this slain lamb, sits on the throne in heaven and is worshipped because he is God.  And he alone is able to read the scrolls, that is, he alone knows and he alone is the one who controls the present and future.  He rules for us.  He manages, governs and controls world and universe events for us.  The wars and persecutions and the work of the devil and his unbelieving legions will go on as prophesied in Revelation, but in the end, what will happen?  We his Church, his believers will not only survive; we will reign with him forever because our robes are washed white in the blood of the Lamb.  This Lamb isn’t just a vicitm, dieing for others.  He isn’t just a sacrifice who died and is gone.  He is our Lord and our Savior.  Not even death could hold him.  And if he busts death for himself, what will he do when death comes looking for us?  We will rule and live with him forever, starting now.

    So, the entire Bible points to Jesus and the cross.  Every page, every book, every chapter, even the deaths of all those lambs pointed to Jesus as your Lamb, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  That includes your sins, too.  Believe it and have life.  Relish it.  And let’s offer to God ourselves as living sacrifices and live the new life he has given us.  INJ  Amen.