Throughout the Old Testament you learn that Israelites sacrifice lambs not only during Passover but as continued offerings. I remember telling Jon how sad and uncomfortable the blood offerings made me feel (I cry watching Planet Earth and seeing a visual of the circle of life). But the Lord God knew the people needed to learn about blood offerings before He sent Jesus to atone for their sins. Then Isaiah, who foretold the coming of Christ, says that Jesus is the Lamb of God who would be given as a sacrifice for not only the nation of Israel, but the whole world. It's amazing to think how intricately the bible is woven together. Small details, names, and numbers in the Old Testament are shown as perfect signs of God's providence in the New Testament (and in my life today). Like I said above, animals are precious beings in my eyes so thinking of a tiny, snow white lamb, who has lived a short life knowing no sin shedding blood in my name is heartbreaking. Not as heartbreaking as Jesus, fully man, fully God, doing the same. Remember in the Old Testament when God told Abraham to sacrifice his son and he laid Isaac up on the altar and God stopped him? That also makes me sick to my stomach knowing that God would later watch His perfect baby boy die a slow, painful death. It wrecks me, and humbles me, day after day after day.
Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29
Romans 6:23 tells us for the wages of sin are death...very serious and very harsh. But friends, there is beauty in that blood of Jesus!! We are no longer captive by sin but free in Christ. The lamb that died to free Israel, and died to free me. The most perfect sacrifice.
And I wanted to share a few of my favorite Christian songs as of late...
Your Great Name (my favorite version sung by our worship leader, Jimmy McNeal, who was on American Idol a few years ago). The lyrics say worthy is the lamb that was slain for us.
Jesus Paid It All -"praise the one who paid my debt"
Hallelujah, Tenth Avenue North- "Hallelujah for the blood fo the lamb that was slain" and "You took our sin inside Your wounds, Your wounds we hide away"
Is there a topic, phrase, or words in the bible that no matter how often you hear them, wreck and humble your heart?
10 comments:
I love love this post! I am definitely a worshiper at heart. I actually get more spiritual,connected and more out of worship than the actual service. Jesus is always touching my spirit during worship. and many times I do cry <3 He is so Awesome! He is the great Alpha and Omega, The Great I Am! I would be nothing without Him.
The passage of the bible in John where John is saying "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." Always reminds me of what I am to do on this earth.
I feel like I just had church right here on your blog, Ruthie.
What gets me is that they had to bring in a lamb into their home treat it as a pet and then sacrifice it, after getting attached to it and taking care of it. Now, that's true sacrifice.
"Blessed Assurance" is my song and story. Jesus really is mine. I really am a heir of salvation and a purchase of God.
It doesn't get any better than that!
xo
Alisha and Brandon {the blog}
This is such a greta post. It is kind of funny because we were tlaking about the sacraficing of lambs in church this past Sunday, and I was thinking the same things as we were talking about it. The poor fluffy little lamb. This post puts everything into perspective. Thank you for sharing your words!
the hymn "It Is Well with My Soul" makes me feel so humbled as does the classic "You Are My King" praise song the first verse, "I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken, I'm accepted - you were condemned" makes me feel so grateful and in awe of his love.
I love these posts because I learn so much from you. You're like my daily dose of Beth Moore. ;) You might think knowing this stuff comes naturally, but not for someone like me. I have to be told things like this, and for that, I thank you!
Ruthie,
Your sweet heart is so beautiful.
Thank you again for the reminder of our Savior and his sacrifice!
Love you, girlie!
-Christa
ps. please kiss Ernie's face for me. xoxoxoxoxo
I really love the way you did this post! It was so humbling, and I have never thought about the sacrifice of the lamb as a way for people to understand God's sacrifice of His son, but it definitely puts it into perspective! I have always loved the verse that tells us that through this life, we will have trials and tribulations, but to take heart, because God has overcome the world. No matter how many times I read it or say it to myself, it never fails to remind me of what a powerful and awesome God we serve. Thanks for this post Ruthie! :)
Great post!
I, too, get very emotional during worship at church. If you really think about what you're singing about...how can you not get emotional??
One of my all time favorites that gets me everytime is Philips, Craig & Dean's song, Revelation. To think about being surrounded by people of every tongue, tribe and nation, praising our Savior is so amazing to me. Just thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes. What an incredible day that will be!
You are a sweetheart, Ruthie. I get very emotional during worship also. I also, like Ashley love Revelation Song, and also LOVE Cannons by Phil Wickham. This year, my FAVORITE new Christmas song was "Born in Me" by Francesca Battistelli - SO very beautiful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsXOP7aQeqQ
I get emotional and tear up during church services...there are a couple of songs but I cannot remember the names right now ( Iam horrible with all music and song names hahah)
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