PODCAST
Carried Away
November 29th, 2012
John 1:29-34
In the ancient ritual of the Day of Atonement two male goats were chosen (Lev. 16). One to be a sin offering, the other became the “scapegoat.” The high priest laid his hands on the animal’s head and confessed the sins and wickedness of the people. The scapegoat was then led far away from the camp and released, carrying their sins into the wilderness.
When John saw Jesus coming to the river for baptism he immediately recognized the “Lamb of God.” Here was the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrifices of the Day of Atonement. Those sacrifices were repeated each year and then only for the community of Israel. Christ’s sacrifice would be for the whole world, for all who turn from sin and receive him as their Savior and Lord.
The scapegoat had to be led far out in the wilderness so there would be no possibility of the animal accidentally returning with their confessed sins. Christ takes away our sins, never to be remembered against us again. Unlike the goat Jesus will return “not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Heb. 9:28).
November 29th, 2012 at 6:23 am
Jesus (in the flesh) was our “sin offering” that was sacrificed for our atonement; and mankind (the carrier of a multitude of sins) is the scapegoat that leads us out into the wilderness and abandons us.
November 29th, 2012 at 7:51 am
So many lambs,
So many goats,
So many bulls,
So many doves,
They were all just a shadow of what was to come.
“Oh the blood of Jesus, it washes white as snow.”