The Passion of Christ - Part 1

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor 5:2

This week before Easter Sunday has many labels: Passover Week , Holy Week, Easter Week. It, like Christmas, has become another subject in the sound bite wars that seem to dominate our daily lives. As with every other daily "debate" I pray that the monumental sacrifice and the tremendous importance of Jesus' death and resurrection does not get lost in the "noise."

In the Book of Exodus, Moses is instructed by God how to avoid the final plague that would force Pharaoh to allow the Jewish nation held captive in Egypt to be set free.

"Speak to the whole community of Israel. Tell them that on the tenth day of this month each man must get a lamb from his flock....The animals you choose must be males that are a year old. They must not have any flaws....Take care of them until the 14th day of the month. Then the whole community of Israel must kill them when the sun goes down. Take some of the blood. Put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where you eat the lambs. ...."The blood on your houses will be a sign for you. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No deadly plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." Ex 12:3-13

I did a Google search on lambs. Few sites discussed the lamb as a religious symbol or had cute pictures of lambs with children, but most showed various cuts of meat and or lamb recipes. It seems that lambs that are not destined to be sheep, have one purpose, to be slaughtered and eaten. Perhaps that is why God chose the lamb as a representation of his Son's sacrifice for the protection of His family from the coming wrath against the world's sin.

This week, try to envision an innocent lamb being Jesus. In your mind's eye watch the brutality inflicted by mankind on this helpless creature. Then look at the love in Jesus' eye as he took the beatings and the scorn. Think of a helpless lamb being cared for by a young child and then reflect on the scourge, the nails and the crown of thorns tearing at your Saviour's flesh. Look at the purity of the lamb and consider all of the sins ever committed by mankind being placed upon a brutalized and near naked body hanging on a cross for only one reason. He loves you!

My prayer. Forgive us Lord for not being able to comprehend the depth of your sacrifice because we are so concerned about ourselves. Help us to begin to grasp just how much you love us. Thank you so very much that you who knew no sin would die for a wretch like me. I pray in earnest in the Name above all names Jesus Christ. Amen!