Sunday, July 20, 2014

He is Brought as a Lamb to the Slaughter

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

Jesus has always been the Lamb of God. He has always been the appointed sacrifice for the sin of the world. He came into the world as being brought to the slaughter house. He was given to us and for us, in order to take away sin. 

His appearing on the earth came with a sign in the sky, a star and even an angelic chorus that announced, 
"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:10-14)
Now this grand event, this first announcement of the birth of the man child and Christ child was to "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night" (v 8). While they were among sheep, some of which were also to be brought to be slaughtered, the very Lamb of God was announced to them, the final, last and only acceptable Lamb to be slain for the sin of the world. 

All references to the coming of the Messiah are in association with His work of putting away sin and dying for our transgressions. Everything He did was in order to appease God, satisfy God, obey the commandment of eternal life, set those enslaved by sin free, and proclaim the year of the Lord's favor upon men. Had it not been for the sin of man and the righteousness of God there would be no need for Jesus' death. He would have died in vain. But alas, we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and the wages of such sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our remembrance of Him is a pleasant one for He has done and is doing all that His Father has asked of Him and He shall be compensated. Furthermore, we have been delivered from sin. We have been freed from its alluring power and condemning nature. We have been completely exonerated of all charges and transgressions that we have committed because Jesus was brought to the slaughter in our stead. The wages of sin, its debt has been paid; our debt has been forgiven. Believe that and rejoice in it. He is worthy of our remembrance. and praise.