The Sacrifice

TITLE: The Sacrifice
DATE: December 3, 2018
TEXT: 1 John 1:7 (ESV) -  7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin
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In the 1500’s, King Philip II of Spain ruled over the Dutch, a people whom he despised.

After repeated insults from their monarch, the people rose up in defiance. The rebellion was put down ruthlessly, city by city. Although the city of Rotterdam held out for a while, eventually, it too, fell before the Spaniards.

The victors took their revenge as they went from home to home, dragging the people out or murdering right in their own houses.

In one residence a group of men, women, and children huddled together. Terror gripped them as the boots of the Spanish soldiers came closer. Then, one of the young men had an idea.

Taking a young goat, he killed it, and with a broom swept its blood under the door.

The Spaniards began to batter on the door. They would have kept it up, but they stopped when one, pointing at the blood at the entry, said, “Leave this place, men, our work here has already been completed!”

The household had lived because a goat had died.

Although God’s plan to send His Son to save us was not a decision made in desperation, it is possible to see similarities between our own homes and that long ago house in Rotterdam.

Like those victims, we had once been condemned to live in terror of our mortal enemies: sin, death and Satan. To save us from the clutches of certain condemnation, God made a promise. He would send His perfect Son to be the Savior of humanity.

And so it was, Jesus became the Lamb of God.

His life was outlined and described by the prophets. This God did so there could be no confusion, no doubt about the identity of the Redeemer when He came. By Holy Spirit inspired prophecy the Lord’s people could wait expectantly for a Child to be born of a virgin in the small Judean village of Bethlehem.

It happened as God had said it would.

Understand this was not a dumb beast whose death would have to be repeated annually. No, this was God’s own Son, the Lamb of God Who was sent to save not one family, but the entire human race.

His coming brings deliverance and its completion can

• change the sinner’s eternal destination from hell  into heaven,
• dispose of his fears as they fall before faith,
• and His ongoing presence can transform sadness into the joy of salvation.

Beginning in the manger of a Judean stable, Jesus’ life, His passion, His resurrection became our salvation.

Jesus’ blood on the door of our hearts, says to Satan that, because off God’s grace is helpless and unable to do anything here. 
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, send Your Holy Spirit so I may be grateful of the gracious gift of Your Son Who is the sacrifice which saves me. Give me a thankful heart and the ability to share Jesus Who is good News for all humanity. In His Name I pray. Amen.
 
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago  confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html