Daily Devotional
A Perfect Lamb

December 17, 2019

Today’s Reading

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” LUKE 2:8–10

A Perfect Lamb

What a wonderful Savior we have in Mary’s Lamb, the Son of God born that first Christmas night! Jesus came as He did, born of a virgin, to be what He was—the sinless Lamb of God. He was what He was, sinless, to do what He did—die for our sins. And He died for our sins so that He, being what He was, might make us what we are not and ought to be— children of God. 

Remember those Passover lambs being raised in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth? Those were the lambs the shepherds kept watching over when the angel appeared to them announcing the birth of the Savior. Even though we are observing Christmas, the first week of Jesus’ earthly life, I want to “fast forward” to the last week of His life. 

On Palm Sunday, the Lord Jesus came down the Mount of Olives and ascended to the temple mount. At the very same time, the lambs for the upcoming Passover were brought in through the sheep gate. The priests examined those lambs to make certain they were perfect for sacrifice. At the same time, God’s Lamb was examined by His enemies. No charge whatsoever could be made against Jesus. Even Pilate had to confess, “I find no fault in Him” (John 19:4). 

Jesus was a perfect Lamb. Jesus went from the temple mount to the Last Supper and then out to dark Gethsemane. By nine o’clock the next morning, He was on His way to the cross. Then at three o’clock that afternoon, as the priests offered the Passover lambs in the temple, Mary’s Lamb was hanging on the cross. Suddenly He cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Our sin debt had been paid in full! Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Activity

Use today’s lesson to lead into a discussion of salvation. Prayerfully make sure each member of your family understands what it means to be saved and has made that all-important decision to trust Christ alone. Finish by thanking the Lord for your salvation and for the assurance we can have.

Take advantage of the related activities and resources at ExperienceChristmas.org.