As we continue to talk of Jesus as the Lamb of God this week, let's go right back into Genesis for a moment.
Abraham had been promised a son, through whom he would have countless offspring. When the son finally arrives, he is overjoyed, until God commands him to go onto a hill and sacrifice his son.
God Himself Will Provide
We read this: "Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, 'Father?' 'Yes, my son?' Abraham replied. 'The fire and wood are here,' Isaac said, 'but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?' Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.' And the two of them went on together." (Genesis 22:6-8)
Well, God did provide a ram that day, and Isaac was spared. But there's a beautiful parallel to Jesus in here. Jesus was actually the One who truly gave Abraham his countless descendants, since anybody who believes in Jesus is a true child of Abraham, according to the New Testament.
You see, in Genesis, God spared the son and provided a substitute who would die in his place. Friends, that's what Jesus did for us. Our sins and our rejection of God have made us guilty of punishment by death. But if we cry out, "Where is the Lamb for the burnt offering?" we find out that God provided. God provided not just a ram in a thicket, but His own Son as a Lamb who would take our place.
Have You Placed Your Faith in the Lamb?
Jesus died on the cross, and paid the price for our sins right there. We are set free, if we believe in Him, and we don't bear the punishment for our sin that we deserve.
God provided a Lamb! This Lamb died once, for all people everywhere.
I ask you again: have you placed your faith in the Lamb? Because friends, His death is not effective for everyone, but only for those who believe and love Him.
God provides, but faith is what gets you that which He has provided. Today, see what your sin has done to the Lamb. Bow in repentance, and receive His sacrifice as your substitute.
Then go on your way to tell the world the good news: God Himself provided a Lamb.
Christopher Hopper, an early Methodist preacher was hauled before a church court and chased by mobs, but found God faithful to defend him every time. A powerful word for anyone facing opposition to their calling.