God's Lamb And Mary's

God’s Lamb and Mary’s

Years ago, a preacher friend presented a lesson entitled, “Mary Had a Little Lamb, His Name was Jesus.” You might say he had a rhyme and a reason for the title.

At this time of year, we focus on and get excited about the birth of baby Jesus. We think of the innocence of that baby and the hardships Joseph and Mary faced to get to Bethlehem and fulfill the prophet’s foresight (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6). Mary laid her baby in a sheep’s feeding trough, wrapped in swaddling cloths just like the shepherds did when a lamb was born to the Bethlehem flocks.

One of the reasons this is such a popular event is because a baby is not very intimidating to us unless you happen to be a new parent. Baby Jesus is cute and adorable. We want to reach out and relieve Mary of some of her new mother's stresses and take care of the infant for her. God provided as He always does. The wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that symbolically and practically cared for the child on the family’s journey to Egypt, providing another prophetic fulfillment (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15).

While we relish Mary’s cute baby, we must not forget that He was also God’s Son, and God sent His Son for a serious purpose that John the Baptist pointed out in the Apostle John’s Gospel, 1:29-30 (NLT):

The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’

The title, “Lamb of God,” means “God’s sacrifice.” It is no coincidence that the Romans and Jews crucified Jesus at Passover when thousands of lambs were offered in remembrance of God’s deliverance of the nation when He “passed over” the houses with the lambs’ blood on the doorposts and lintels. Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” and the “Lamb of God.” While we enjoy the festivities of His birth, we must not forget His purpose. He reminded His disciples of His purpose when he spoke to them about greatness (Mark 10:43-45, NKJV, emphasis added).

“43 Yet it shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

We talk about a baby being a sign of love between a husband and wife. The presence of baby Jesus indicates God’s love for us. In a little over thirty-three years, that baby would grow and become the most remarkable man ever. Not only that, He would go to the cross to take our sins and endure the “curse of the law” on our behalf. Listen to Paul in Galatians 3:13-14 (NKJV):

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Cf., Deuteronomy 21:23).

We cannot take away our sins or the curse of the Law when we violate its precepts and commands. The Law reveals our transgressions and debt to God but does not provide redemption. Christ does that for us at the cross.

Let’s pause for just a moment and look at history. According to Columbus' personal log, his purpose in seeking "undiscovered worlds" was to:

“... bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the heathens” (to hasten the return of Christ according to Matthew 24:14 (NKJV), “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

As a result, Columbus had his men erect a large wooden cross on every island where they stopped “as a token of Jesus Christ our Lord, and in honor of the Christian faith.”

We may use the cross as a decoration or in jewelry, but it is a reminder of the purpose and suffering of Christ. He was born to die for the sins of all humanity, from Adam to us and those yet to be born. George Washington carried a set of prayers scholars believe came from an Anglican prayer book. In the Sunday evening section, Washington prayed about Christ’s purpose.

But, O God, who art rich in mercy and plenteous in redemption, mark not, I beseech thee, what I have done amiss; remember that I am but dust, and remit my transgressions, negligences & ignorances, and cover them all with the absolute obedience of Thy dear Son, that those sacrifices which I have offered may be accepted by Thee, in and for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered upon the cross for me; for His sake, ease me of the burden of my sins, and give me grace that by the call of the Gospel I may rise from the slumber of sin into the newness of life.