The Lamb of God

   “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!’” (John 1: 29).

   The Israelites gathered once a year on the Day of Atonement.  On that day an unblemished lamb, either a sheep or goat was brought before the High Priest.  The High Priest would ritually place all the sins of Israel on the head of the lamb.  The lamb would then be led out into the desert and released, taking with it the sins of Israel.  From this came our term “scapegoat”.  Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, remains the holiest day of the Jewish year.

   The lamb was brought before the High Priest; Jesus was brought before the High Priest before being sent to Pilate.  The lamb was led out of Jerusalem and abandoned in the desert;  Christ was driven out of Jerusalem carrying the cross upon which He would die.  Each year another lamb had to be sacrificed on the Day of Atonement; Jesus died once for all, offering forgiveness for our sins, now and forever.

   I give thanks that I no longer need to pretend that a goat or sheep can carry away my sins of the previous year.  I give thanks that my Lord sacrificed His life once for all.  A sacrifice that endures for eternity.

Lord, You are the Lamb of God.

You died to take away all sin.

You suffered and died for my sins.

I thank You for Your love and mercy.

Amen