As we noted yesterday, Abraham was told to make an offering and so an offering he went to make. The request was one which surely appeared to be confusing, but Abraham trusted God to provide a lamb and God did so. Abraham’s faith is worth noting and imitating.
As John the Baptizer was preparing the way for the Messiah, he drew attention to another lamb God had in mind to provide. This provision was one which revealed the extent of the mission Jesus came to fulfill.
We read. . .
“(29) The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 ESV)
There was sin to be atoned for, but what humanity offered was not sufficient to meet the need. (Hebrews 10:3-4) As John introduced the Messiah, he pointed to Him as the great provision of God for dealing with sin. Jesus — the seed of Abraham through Whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed — came destined to be “the Lamb of God” to fulfill that purpose and meet our great need. In faith, John proclaimed it. In faith we are to accept it.
Paul referred to Jesus as “our Passover lamb”. (1 Corinthians 5:7) Peter declared that it was with the “precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” that we have been redeemed. (1 Peter 1:19)
Abraham trusted God to provide a lamb, God did, and Isaac was spared. John pointed the attention to Jesus as “the Lamb of God” sent to take away our sins. It is the sacrifice of this lamb that is completely sufficient to spare us from the penalty our sins deserve.
The Hebrew writer encouraged. . .
“(12) But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, (13) waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. (14) For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:12-14 ESV)
Under the old law, sacrifices had to be offered again and again. (Hebrews 10:11) Jesus — “the Lamb of God” — only had to offer Himself once and that sacrifice is the adequate means “for all time” to provide eternal salvation and life. May we continue to learn the acceptance of what God has said He will provide, trusting Him to provide it, and trusting its sufficiency to meet our need!
Have a great day ACCEPTING AND TRUSTING GOD’S GREATEST PROVISION!
Carl
