The Lamb
Animals of Christmas #3
December 14, 2003
Genesis 22:6-8 and John 1:29-36
Third Sunday of Advent
Galena-Warwick United Methodist Charge
Warwick & Galena, Maryland
Rev. Dr. Lawrence D. Jameson
larry@larryjameson.com
back to our church home page
Gen 22:6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt
offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the
knife. As the two of them went on together,
Gen 22:7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?"
Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the
lamb for the burnt offering?"
Gen 22:8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt
offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has
surpassed me because he was before me.'
John 1:31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water
was that he might be revealed to Israel."
John 1:32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven
as a dove and remain on him.
John 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize
with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is
he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
John 1:34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
John 1:35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
John 1:36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
Back in 1223 A.D.
St. Francis of Assisi included sheep
in his first nativity scene.
I’m glad he did!
This animal is a powerful testimony
to who Jesus is
and why he born in Bethlehem.
This story runs as a theme in the Bible
all the way
from Genesis to Revelation.
ONE
Let’s start with the Old Testament lesson for today
which is found in Genesis chapter 22.
God tested Abraham
and told him to sacrifice
his only son.
Abraham didn’t understand this test.
He simply did what God asked him to do.
Gen 22:6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son
Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on
together,
Gen 22:7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?"
Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the
lamb for the burnt offering?"
Gen 22:8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt
offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.
What an amazing story!
It foreshadows the cross.
The father who was willing to give up his only begotten son.
The son who was innocent and pure
carrying the wood for his own sacrifice
The lamb a sacrifice hidden by God
until just the right moment
The location Mt. Moriah
the same place
where Jesus was to be crucified
the name of the place
“The LORD Will Provide”
This was one of the earliest, and most important stories
in Jewish history.
This story helped shape the thoughts
of the Jews,
about what faith is
and what it means to be God’s people.
Every Jew knows
about Abraham, Isaac, and the lamb.
TWO
Now let’s look at the Exodus.
God told the Jews that he was going to
redeem them from slavery.
He told each Jewish family
to choose a year old male lamb without defect.
They were instructed to sacrifice this animal
and then to put some of the blood on
their door in a special way.
Exo 12:7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and
tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs.
Q: What shape do you get
when you place blood on the sides and tops
of a door frame?
A: You get the shape of the cross.
What an amazing story!
It foreshadows the cross.
Moses the great lawgiver
who led his people out of bondage
Passover the provision of God
for every family to escape the wrath
of God on sin
The lamb the first (one year old)
and best (without defect)
The location the front door of every family home
which could not be missed.
This was no secret religion.
This was public testimony of faith.
The blood The Lord said:
Exo 12:13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when
I see the blood, I will pass over you.
the name Passover
came to be understood as the
heart of Jewish religion.
This was one of the earliest, and most important stories
in Jewish history.
This story helped shape the thoughts
of the Jews,
about what faith is
and what it means to be God’s people.
Every Jew knows
about Moses, Passover, and the lamb.
THREE
The prophet Isaiah
predicted that one day
the Messiah
would be just like
a sacrificial lamb.
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was
led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
Isaiah also wrote:
Isa 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds
we are healed.
FOUR
When Jesus was born, who did God send to the manger?
It wasn’t Kings.
It wasn’t Priests.
It was humble shepherds.
Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch
over their flocks at night.
Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were terrified.
Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ
the Lord.
Luke 2:12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and
lying in a manger."
Who else but a shepherd would recognize
the Lamb of God?
FIVE
John the Baptist recognized Jesus.
God called John to a special ministry.
It was John’s job to get the people of Israel
ready for the Messiah.
When Jesus arrived, this is what John said.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John the Baptist
has a lot in common with the shepherds
who went to Bethlehem.
SIX
In the last book of the Bible,
we are given a glimpse of the future.
And in that glimpse
we see thousands and thousands of angels
praising Jesus Christ
and saying:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and strength and honor
and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12
CONCLUSION
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God.
His coming was foretold by
Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah.
His arrival was recognized by
shepherds, wise men,
and John the Baptist.
He is coming again
and every person in heaven
and on the earth
is going to have to acknowledge
his power, his righteousness, and glory.
No wonder we put sheep
in the nativity scene!
Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!
Prayer
Dear Jesus, you are the Lamb of God
that takes away the sin of the world.
Thank you for dying on the cross for me.
Thank you for the Bible that teaches me
how to receive forgiveness,
cleansing, and purpose.
Thank you for your Holy Spirit in my body.
And thank you for calling me to a ministry
of service! Amen.
Special Thanks to Dudley McHenry and family for bringing a sheep to visit! Special Thanks to Dick Cook for coordinating the visits of “the Animals of Christmas”.