Friday, December 17, 2010

An Offering Provided

When we press for non-believers to recognize that Jesus truly is the reason for the season, I think we sometimes miss the true miracle that occurred.

And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:7-8 KJV)

The relationship between God and His creation had been spiritual from the moment life was breathed into Adam. That changed when Gabriel spoke to Mary. Not just from omnipotence did God know of man’s physical presence, for He provided Himself the lamb for sacrifice.

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 KJV)

John made this proclamation twice, the second with emphasis.

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36 KJV)

That is the miracle of Christ’s birth. God, Himself, provided the Lamb to take away our sins. Why would He do so? Let’s hear from a man described as a man after God’s own heart:

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:11-12 KJV)

That man knew the sins God was capable of forgiving since he stood in need of the very mercy he described – and the judgment rendered.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (Psalms 103:8-10 KJV)

Again, Why would He do so?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

From Matthew to Revelation, one word remains consistent: Fufilled.

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:22-23 KJV)

Fifty-six verses with the word fulfilled, references to the law and the prophets, all based on two verses:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

1 comment:

  1. Well amen, he certainly did provide himself a lamb, oh my the great king of kings came as a babe in the manger,and then died on the cross like a lamb going to the slauther, never making a sound, praise His name His name Is JESUS.

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