The Christmas Story of the Lamb

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

I John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

As I have pondered Christ's birth in my heart this Christmastime, what keeps returning to me is the richness of God's mercy to a dark, hopeless world. The Father sent His precious, only begotton Son from His throne of glory for one purpose--to die! The first breath that filled the lungs of the Baby Lord Jesus signified not life, but death. What awe must have filled the hearts of Mary and Joseph as they gazed upon the Lamb of God, wrapped in swaddling clothes, a very symbol of His eminent sacrifice.

Christ's sacrifice of love for us took place on Golgotha. Every wicked sin I have committed against my holy God was laid upon Him, the Lamb "without blemish and without spot"! "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; 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 hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 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." (Isa. 53:5-7) Oh, how can it be, that Thou my God shouldst die for me!!! What wondrous, unfathomable love belongs to our Savior. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (I John 4:9) He loved us though we were unlovely, though we despised Him, though we rejected Him. Though we were the cause of His shame and torment upon the cross, His love never failed. The Lamb of God was slain, but He had power to take up His life again! Jesus Christ rose up from the grave in triumph over sin, death, Hell, and Satan.

Provision has been made for every sinner through the perfect sacrifice of "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Rev. 13:8) There is absolutely nothing we could ever do in our sinful state to appease a righteous God. The "good tidings of great joy" which were first declared to the lowly shepherds are extended today to every sinner: "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)  Look to the Lamb of God! He will take away your sins and save you eternally if you will simply, humbly receive Him. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (Acts 1:12)

The Lamb of God is now in heaven, seated upon His throne at the right hand of the Father. "Unto the Son [God] saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." (Heb. 1:8) The slain and risen Lamb is now highly exalted as He reigns in glory. One day, all eyes shall see Him and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD. His saints will say "with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (Rev. 5:12-13) Glory to God!!! One day, I'll be a number of that multitude!

This is the Christmas story of the Lamb of God. He left it all, He gave everything to commend His love toward us. May we worship and praise Him with a full heart for the sacrifice He made in the Bethlehem stable and on Calvary's old rugged cross. Salvation through His shed blood is a priceless Gift; we should treasure it above all else.

A richly blessed and merry Christmas to all!

Almighty Lamb by Ryan Gass

(click link above or play button below to hear song by The Clark Family)

Atonement Day is at hand,
A little boy and his lamb
Make their way to the tabernacle door.
As the lamb was led away,
The tears streamed down his face.
As he watched from a distance,
You could hear him say,

"My little lamb, you cannot stay.
For my sin the price you must pay--
A sacrifice that is so great.
My little lamb, you must go today."

God looked down from Heaven's throne,
He saw us helpless and alone;
To redeem us, He would have to send His Son.
As Jesus left that holy place,
The tears streamed down God's face.
All of Heaven grew silent;
You could hear Him say,

"My precious Lamb, You cannot stay,
And to redeem the price You must pay.
My only Son I will give away.
Oh, precious Lamb, You must go today."

Hallelujah, praise the Lamb!
Hallelujah, praise the Lamb!

Oh, mighty Lamb, I'm so glad you came.
My every sin you have washed away;
You saved my soul, now I can say,
"Almighty Lamb, I'll see You someday!"