FEBRUARY 27, Isaiah 53:7

The sacrifice of lambs played a very important role in the Jewish religious life and sacrificial system. Today’s Bible verse tells us that Jesus “is brought as a lamb to the slaughter”. What does it mean?

Before we explain what that means, there is another Bible verse in the New Testament, John 1:29, which says, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” This Bible verse talks about Jesus being the “Lamb”. When John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” the Jews who heard him might have immediately thought of several other important sacrifices.

With the time of the Passover feast being very near, the first thought might be the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. The Passover feast was one of the main Jewish holidays and a celebration in remembrance of God’s deliverance of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. In fact, the slaying of the Passover lamb and the applying of the blood to doorposts of the houses is a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ’s atoning work on the cross. Those for whom He died are covered by His blood, protecting us from the angel of (spiritual) death.

Another important sacrifice involving lambs was the daily sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem. Every morning and evening, a lamb was sacrificed in the temple for the sins of the people. These daily sacrifices, like all others, were simply to point people towards the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Thought: Jesus suffered and died on the Cross because of my sins. I belong to Him and must obey Him today, and every day of my life!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to live my life for You, always doing what is pleasing to You. Help me to obey Your Holy Word and repent of any unconfessed sins. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.