Daily Devotional
A Special Lamb in History
December 16, 2019
Today’s Reading
. . . wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” MATTHEW 2:1–2
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” JOHN 1:29
A Special Lamb in History
Mary’s little Lamb was the Christ of Christmas. We have seen the Lamb in prophecy. Now let’s consider the Lamb in history. The lamb of Exodus 12 only foreshadowed Mary’s Lamb. But when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Lamb entered history. The wise men knew who He was. That’s why they came to worship Mary’s Lamb.
John the Baptist also knew that the One born on Christmas was a special Lamb. Years later, at the commencement of Jesus’ public ministry, John saw Jesus coming and cried out, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). I want to say it again: Jesus was a special Lamb. He was the spotless, sinless, virgin-born Son of God. He was a miracle Lamb. Someone may say, “I believe the virgin birth is an impossibility.” Well, I do too if you leave God out of it. But I also believe that with God all things are possible.
That little Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in Bethlehem’s manger, was and is the eternal, uncreated, self-existing God—the great I AM, the Word made flesh. The Infinite became an infant. God lay in a manger. We have seen from prophecy that Mary’s little Lamb was a special Lamb and a slain Lamb. We see that in history too. John the Baptist declared that Jesus would take away the sin of the world. John was speaking of Jesus’ atoning death on the cross. This is why Jesus was born of a virgin. He had to be virgin born in order to be sinless. Why was He sinless? So He could make a blood atonement.
The Bible says it is the blood that makes atonement for sin. A child’s bloodline is established by the father, not by the mother. None of the baby’s blood circulates through the mother’s body. Mary was Jesus’ earthly mother, but He had no earthly father. God was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, so the blood that flowed through the veins of Mary’s Lamb was the very blood of God (Acts 20:28).
Activity
Ask your family members this question: “If you were to visit the baby Jesus in Bethlehem like the wise men did, what gift would you bring to Jesus and why?” Give everyone time to decide and then share your answers with each other.
Take advantage of the related activities and resources at ExperienceChristmas.org.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
