“…Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” 1 Peter 1:20
Dear Ones:
Throughout the relatively short life of John the Baptist, we note that he had an amazing amount of spiritual discernment. This was certainly due to the fact that he was a man who not only was anointed by the Spirit, but filled. God had given him the “…Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ.” (Eph. 1:17) Perhaps one of the greatest aspects of this revelation of Christ was that in His role as the Lamb of God. There came a day during John’s ministry, as Jesus was coming towards him, that he would say, “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (Jn.1:29) What was this very original, roughly dressed, powerful preacher, declaring? It was at least two things, the first being that the Lord Jesus, as the Lamb of God, was the declared gift and sacrifice of the Father, that the He might save the entire world. The redemption of mankind, in particular, every person who would truly believe, would be saved from the wrath of God, by the offering of this helpless, innocent, and spotless Lamb…, this one, “…who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world.” Here is a truth that is difficult to understand, that this begotten Son, would be the slain Lamb, for time and eternity. Why such an overwhelming revelation? Most certainly it is given to impress upon us the enormity of the singular truth and importance of His Life, His work, and His worth.
If we would go further in our knowledge of this Lamb of God, we need to go to the book of Revelation. There we find Him as the only person in heaven, in earth, or under the earth, WORTHY to receive the inheritance, and authority from the Father, for all eternity, not only with regard to redeeming the believing sinner, but by being that One to whom all judgement is entrusted. This Lamb has taken upon Himself the sin of the entire world. He has demonstrated the love of God for all mankind, proven it, in the face of mockery, ridicule, hatred, being despised and forsaken, ultimately crucified. This Lamb has overcome all the opposition of Hell, and that of sinful, defiant men, to deal perfectly and totally with all sin. This He did to pave the way for His very Life, by the Spirit, to be revealed in the heart of sinful man. He has provided not only a redemption that is perfect, but also, a way and means by which, sinful man can be transformed into His image. It is as the hymn-writer, T. Bimney, wrote: “There is a way for man to rise, to that sublime abode; An Offering and as Sacrifice, A Holy Spirit’s energies, An Advocate with God.”
What then is to be our reaction to the revelation of ONE LAMB, who has finished a perfect work, and ALONE is worthy to claim us for His own, saving us for time and eternity? We find our answer in John’s vision of the Lamb in heaven, and the corresponding response of the redeemed of all ages: “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘…Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (Rev. 5:9) The response is that of worship, attributing to the Lamb His great worth and glory, thanksgiving and praise.
Dear Father, in light of the Lamb’s “eternalness,” give us grace today on this earth, to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, delighting ourselves constantly in Thee, and living a life of thanksgiving. Strengthen us to abide in the Lord Jesus, and Him in us. Love through us Love of God. We thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad