PODCAST
It Had To Be A Lamb
May 3rd, 2015
1 John 1:5—2:2
Do you recall the first time mankind confessed sin? It was in the garden, while they were hiding from the Lord in shame. As the narrative unfolds, God’s inquiry reveals for the first time how his Holy Spirit woos us to confess sin. God’s justice demands punishment, yet He preordained the cure for their sinful condition, “the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).
Later, Able approached the Lord with the sacrifice of the “first born of his flock.” God was pleased with his offering (Genesis 4:4). Twenty generations later, Abraham was called to “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac” and sacrifice him on the mountain. Isaac asked “where is the lamb?” Abraham replied, “God himself will provide the lamb;” and He faithfully did (Genesis 22:1-18).
Seventy-seven generations later, the God who spared Abraham’s son did not spare His own (Romans 8:32). “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). The sacrifice for our forgiveness, had to be a Lamb.
Author: Stephen M. Long
