Mary's Little Lamb

“Mary’s Little Lamb”

October 8, 2000 a.m. (John 1:29, 36) Rodgers Park Baptist Church

I suppose one the most familiar nursery rhymes is the poem, Mary had a Little Lamb. I don’t know if they still teach it in the public school, but they did when I was there. The lamb in the nursery rhyme was pure and sweet.

Surely, every child ought to be introduced to the poem. But more than that, every child and adult ought to be introduced to Mary’s little Lamb in our Scripture text this morning.

BI - “Mary’s little Lamb will separate you from your sin or unbelief will separate your from Mary’s little Lamb.”

I want to share 5 things with you about Mary’s little Lamb. Mary’s little Lamb was a:

I. Substitutionary Lamb - “lamb”

A. Lambs were commonly used for sin-offerings in the Old Testament.

Le 4:32 And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.

B. Three lambs were used for cleansing a leper.

Le 14:10 And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil. 11 And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:

C. Two lambs were killed every day (9 a.m.) & (3 p.m.)

Ex 29:38 Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. 39 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:

This speaks of continual substitution. The blood was shed every day, twice a day, for the sins of Israel. There was daily intercession!

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

D. The Paschal Lamb was slain every year at Passover.

Ex 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.

Ex 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

In each of these offerings, the lamb was the substitute for Israel’s sins. They died in place of Israel. Jesus, Mary’s little Lamb was our substitute. He died in our place. He died a vicarious death!

Isa 53:5 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.

Mary’s little Lamb was a substutionary Lamb. Secondly, He was a:

II. Supernatural Lamb - “of God”

All other lambs were chosen by men, but not Mary’s Lamb. He was chosen, appointed, approved and accepted by God.

Lu 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: