The Lamb
Pastor Sharon TownsendChesterfield, Michigan
Genesis 22 tells of the time God told Abraham to “take his son, His only son Isaac that he loved, and to offer him up as a burnt offering.” As Isaac and Abraham headed toward the place that Abraham was told to go, Isaac asked his father “ where is a Lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham replied “God will provide Himself a Lamb for a burnt offering.” We will look at 5 places where the Lamb provided is seen.
#1. In the New Testament, at the right time, we see that Lamb in a manger. The shepherds, being directed by the angels, found that Lamb in Bethlehem. Shepherds were the first to see the Lamb that God had provided Himself. Why shepherds? Why a Manger? Why Bethlehem? The shepherds were probably temple shepherds. They took care of sheep and lambs that would be used in the daily sacrifices. The lambs born were examined, they had to be perfect, and put somewhere safe, so they could not be hurt, like a feeding trough which is what a manger is. When they saw Jesus wrapped and lying in a manger they saw God’s perfect Lamb, that God provided for Himself. Why Bethlehem? In Isaiah 9:6 A promise was given, “For into us a child is born” In Micah 5:2 the place of His birth was given “But though Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come that shall come forth unto Me…” The Lambs birth was prophesy fulfilled.
# 2. 30 years later Jesus is presented to Israel and the world. John the Baptist says of Jesus that there was one coming who was greater than John himself. These are his words “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me…” The word “preferred” not only means greater than John, it also means He was before John. One time Jesus said “Before Abraham was, I Am.” This shows that Jesus is not only Man He is God. John cries out to the world then and now “Behold, (look, see) the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” ( John 1:29). Jesus is introduced to the world as The Lamb that God Provided for Himself to take away the sin of the world.
# 3. Let’s look at the Lamb at the cross. Not only do we see Him as the Lamb at the cross in the Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we see Him at the cross in Isaiah 53, in the Old Testament. It says “He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter.” In verses 4-6 are the reasons why. “All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned everyone to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” This Lamb identified himself with us sheep. God became man and took upon Himself the penalty of sin, the death due all of us. This death goes beyond this natural body. This is the second death we see in Rev. 20:14. It is a death of separation from God, death of darkness, of sorrow, of being alone, a death of regrets. But now, because of Jesus we have access, even now the very presence of God. We have life and light and peace and joy, and fellowship, we are free to call God Abba, Father. We have a home and an inheritance. We are blessed because of the Lamb. We will enjoy all the above in it’s completeness when we see Jesus. Also, do you know God is for “party’s”? We have an example – when the son came home to his father in Luke 15. His father was so happy he threw a party for His lost son. We are told there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents? Yes, God likes party’s. There will be no partying in hell with friends. That is a lie of Satan.
# 4. Now, lets look at the “Lamb risen.” In Philippians 2 we see the downward steps the Son of God took. He who had been equal with God because He was God, left that place. “But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men: and being in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (verses 6-8). Then we come to V. 9, “Wherefore (because of the preceding verses) God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Between the words “the Death of the cross” and the words “God hath highly exalted Him” we see the resurrection of the Lamb. For there can be no exaltation, if there is no resurrection. On that first day of the week, on resurrection morning, Jesus rose and appeared to those He loved. Their sorrow was turned to joy. Like the song says “Death could not hold in prisons greed the Fathers only Son – He Arose.”
# 5. The last place I want us to see the Lamb that God provided Himself” is yet future, the Lamb on His throne. In Revelation 4, we see Jesus taking His throne in heaven. We see 24 elders and 4 Living ones with Him. This group represents a full overcoming group of people who will be with Jesus when He takes His throne. In chapter 5, we see a book sealed with 7 seals in the right hand of the One seated on His throne. This is a book of judgment. No one was found worthy to open this book. The writer of Revelation, the disciple, John, began to cry. He knew this was an important book, But there was no one to open it. So he wept. Then one of the 24 elders told John not to weep; that the “Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David had prevailed to open the book and loose the seals thereof.” Oh, this must have made John so happy. He knew that this Lion was Jesus Himself. So John looks at the throne but he does not see a Lion. He sees “A Lamb as it had been slain…” This is no ordinary meek Lamb. This LAMB has 7 horns. “Horns in scripture speak of power and authority. This LAMB has the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit, represented by 7 eyes. This LAMB is empowered like a Lion to pour out judgment on a Christ rejecting world. This is the LAMB God has for Himself prepared.
We have seen the LAMB in Genesis 22 promised.
We have seen the LAMB in the manger.
We have see the LAMB in His ministry.
We have seen the LAMB at the cross.
We have seen the Resurrected LAMB
And soon to come, we will see the LAMB on His throne, ready to return as KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS.
Even so come, Lord Jesus. AMEN.
