The Lamb of God

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? Isaiah 53:4-8 ESV

We find the ultimate expression God’s love in the Suffering Servant; the Lamb of God, slain to take away the sin of the world. Father God did not manipulate Jesus to obey His design, nor did the soldiers drag him to his death. He decided to die. He willingly went to the judgment and to the cross, silently, like a sheep before its shearers.

Instead of crushing the bruised or discouraging the depressed, he took their wounds and transgressions on himself; he suffered the punishment for their sins and the stripes for their healing. Jesus: the totally sufficient sacrifice lamb.

“Lamb of God, forgive me, heal me, encourage me. You are the only adequate sacrifice. Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing of my sins.”

Matthew 27:13, 14; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelations 5:6

Advent 17: The Spirit of the Lord Is Upon Me

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Shepherd King

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11 ESV

And I will set up over them one shepherd… he shall feed them and be their shepherd. Ezekiel 34:23-25 ESV

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 ESV

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I know my own and my own know me. John 10:11, 14, 15 ESV

The devoted shepherd carries the lambs and gently leads his sheep. He feeds and protects the flock. He drives evil away from the fields, so the sheep can sleep in peace.

The LORD is my shepherd; I lack nothing. He supplies pastures of fresh tender grass. He finds calm waters. He provides a peaceful atmosphere where the sheep can rest. When the flock is attacked, the Good Shepherd protects the sheep from danger. He gives his life for his sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

“Good Shepherd, I place myself in your care. Lead me, guide me, feed me, and protect me. You are my Shepherd. I want to hear, know, and obey your voice.”

Other verses: Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:26-30

Advent 14: The Servant King

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

Born of a Virgin

The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us). Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Divine choreography: God wrote the script, directed the play and was the primary actor. He desires our participation and allows our improvisation with complete knowledge that the redemptive plan will be fulfilled.

A righteous sacrifice to cancel the price of sin required a perfect man. God himself was the only one that could take the part and his stage entrance was the virgin birth.

God came as Jesus. Born of Mary, a virgin, he lived as a man on the earth, he died and was resurrected. God with us is the divine act.

“Emmanuel, dwell in me. I will be a part in your play so the world can see and know and experience your love, heaven on earth.”

Advent 11: Prince of Peace

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Snake on a pole

Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. Numbers 21:9 ESV

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14, 15 ESV

In Numbers the serpent image used in Genesis is renewed representing temptation and the results of sin. For murmuring against the authority of God in their community the people of Israel were dying. We too have rebelled against God and our relation with Him is lost.

John foretold that the “Son of man” was to be lifted up like the bronze serpent in the desert. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy by becoming sin and dying on the cross. If we will look up to Him in faith we will have eternal life. What an awesome gift.

“Merciful LORD, forgive my rebellious thoughts and actions. Cleanse me from my disobedience. Restore my relationship with you. Give me your life.”

Other verse: Isaiah 53:4-5

Advent 9: The Righteous Scepter

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Sacrifice of Isaac

Abraham … looked and… behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket... [he] took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. Abraham called… that place, "The LORD will provide"; the angel of the LORD called to Abraham [again]… and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you… [parts of verses from Gen 22:13-17 ESV]

Abraham demonstrated faith through obedience and his son was saved. God provided a ram so the promise, Isaac, would not be sacrificed. Abraham then named the place, “the LORD will provide.” God had made a way where there was no way; He supplied a sacrifice where there was no sacrifice.

We have no righteousness of our own, but God offers us His righteousness through the sacrifice of Jesus. In the same way that God provided a ram for Abraham through faith, faith is our key to receiving His forgiveness, righteousness, life and blessing.

God loved us so, that He gave His only son. John 3:16

“Jesus, I receive your forgiveness and life that was provided for us as a gift through the sacrifice of your life on the Cross. Thank you.”

Advent 7: The Prophet's Trumpet

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Promise of a Messiah

Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.

God didn’t wait to solve the problem of man’s transgression. Genesis 3:15 declares the Christ’s virgin birth, crucifixion, resurrection and victory. The complete story was foretold.

Jesus, born of a virgin, was the offspring of woman. Wounded for our transgressions, his death was temporary. It was just a bruised heel. Yes, He rose from the dead on the third day. Yet, the damage inflicted to the enemy’s head was permanent and fatal. Satan suffered total defeat when the bruised heel shattered his skull. Jesus’ death and resurrection gave us complete victory over Satan. God’s promise revealed.

“Christ, I receive the forgiveness you died for and the righteousness you rose to give. You are my victory, my LORD.”

Advent 6: The Sacrifice of Isaac

Advent 1 - In the Beginning