My, Devotion to Him #201
Verse Passage: John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – NIV
Those familiar with the Old Testament and specifically the Israelites’ sacrificial system understand today’s verse and why John the Baptist applied this title to the Messiah.
The Lord implemented animal sacrifices as a lesson that would foreshadowed Jesus’ death on the cross. Sheep, goats, bulls, and other creatures filled their temporary purpose, but only the Son of God and man could truly take away our sins as He would be the purest of all sacrifices.
There is a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well in relation to that a Hebrew word is also worth many words which is so amazing when you read what’s next. An Israelite, upon bringing a sacrifice to the altar, would lay hands on the sacrificial animal’s head. This was not just some casual ceremony.
The Hebrew term conveys that the person pushed heavily upon the animal. An innocent creature bore a lot of pressure on behalf of a guilty citizen, but this pales in comparison to the reality to which this ritual pointed towards. Considering how much of a burden our sins put on Jesus Christ can be sobering.
However, we can find and take great encouragement. The animals did not have a say in their involvement, but our Savior willfully, lovingly, and willingly took our sins upon Himself, thus restoring us from death to life and setting us free. It’s amazing how Christ bore such a massive burden. When you sit and ponder that each person brought an animal to sacrifice in order to cover their sin and yet Jesus took upon the worlds sin. He took on the whole burden of mankind’s sin. It wasn’t just the sin of that day. He also took on the sin of the future. He took on your sin, your children’s sin and their children’s sin. It’s amazing that He would willing take on such a vast amount of sin all because of love.
He’s pure and full of love. Lean on Him because He has and wants to take away all your burdens.
God bless!
Copyright © 2019 by Jacob D. Olinger
Spirit Warrior Ministry 