Weekend Words

From Beside the Still Waters...

Behold the Lamb of God - Read: Isaiah 53, 1 Peter 1:18-21

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world." - John 1:29

The word behold means to pay special attention to.  John was telling the people to focus on the lamb of God.  Why?  Because He is the only one who can take care of the sin problem.  It is interesting that the prophet Isaiah had referred to that Lamb about 700 years before (Isaiah 53:7).  The Lamb was Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  Why was He called the Lamb?  One reason was that He had the characteristics of a lamb.  He was meek and lowly, and He did not retaliate when he was mocked, beaten, and crucified.  Also, lambs were used as sacrifices for sin in the Old Testament - though their blood could only cover sin, never take it away.

This perfect Lamb was without blemish and without spot, and His precious blood made forgiveness of sin possible for the whole world.  Even the very guilt of sins is taken away, and God remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12).  Praise His name!

The sin question faces every soul that comes to understand his accountability before God, regardless of background, culture, or skin color.  Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

What can we do about our sins?  A number of times in the Gospels, Jesus called people to repentance, which means having godly sorrow for sin, forsaking all sinful practices, and choosing to serve God.  We need to confess our sins and believe that the blood of the Lamb can wash them away.  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).  After this initial cleansing, we need to continue beholding the Lamb of God every day.

Cleason Martin - Stratton, ON

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing". - Revelation 5:12

Worthy - Read: Isaiah 6

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power." - Revelation 4:11

Jacob said he was "not worthy of the least of all the mercies" that God had shown to him (Genesis 32:10).  Consider what a contrast that is to today's key verse.  the Lord God is supremely worthy of glory, honor, and power, but we are unworthy of the least of His mercies.

These eternal truths are not only factual, they are vital to our worldview and our perception of God and ourselves.  They are closely linked together.  Seeing God's worthiness clearly shows our unworthiness.  The more we see the greatness of God, the more we see our own smallness.  The more we see the power and sufficiency of God, the more we see our insufficiency and our need of Him.

In Isaiah 6, the prophet had a vision that set his perception straight.  He saw God's glorious throne and heard many angels saying, "Holy, holy, holy".  In fear he cried, "Woe is me! for I am undone; ... mine eyes have seen the King."  An angel took a live coal from the altar, touched his lips with it, and declared his sin purged.  Then God spoke: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"  Isaiah responded, "Here am I, send me."

Isaiah's perception of God's worthiness and his own unworthiness was the key to his faithful service as a prophet of God.  We also need to behold the glory of God and see our own undoneness revealed by His Word.  Such a heavenly vision produces a realistic worldview and prepares us to serve the King.  This is not a one-time mountaintop experience, but an encounter with God that makes us aware of who God is and who we are.  It produces a heavenly outlook that will affect us the rest of our life.

David Schrock - Rutherford, TN

For eternity the redeemed will sing, "Worthy is the Lamb!"