40 Day Journey with Our Neighbors in Solidarity
Week 3: First Lutheran African Ministry, Sioux Falls
Written By: Abraham Gayetaye
John 1:29-34
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
“the Lamb that takes away the sin…”
I was born and raised in a village setting where every household most likely owned cattle with sheep and goat in the number. Growing up, I really enjoyed company of sheep for their gentleness compared to their companion, the goat. Sheep are an easy going animal, never breaking into things. I believe because of its decent character it was preferred in every religious setting for sacrifices. Sheep know not how to fight back so it is a sacrificial requirement. It always followed in the line of obedience.
When Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son, Isaac for a burnt offering, acting in obedience God stopped him and provided a lamb to take the place of Isaac. To sum up all as it relates to human sin, God provided his one and only Son to take away sins. His humbling character won him the title “Lamb of God” that takes away the sin of the world. Abraham needed not to sacrifice his son or animal because God in his wisdom chose to sacrifice his only son to atone for our sins once and for all. After Christ, no sacrifice remains, our justification or perfection is found in him only, who is the perfect Lamb. We don’t have to justify ourselves.
Prayer:
God, I thank you that you call can us your own because of your Son. Work into our being that we should not think of working of our own salvation or find from our good deeds but that grace comes through the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world. Give us in depth insight of the sacrifice of your Son as we journey through this lenten period. in Christ’s name. Amen
Reflect:
Sin, what an age old problem thanks to the Lamb of God.
