"The Shed Blood of Jesus"

29) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30) He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31) I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”  32) Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33) I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34) I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.[a]” John 1: 29-34 (NLT)


When John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching, he declared Christ to be the Lamb of God (John 1: 29).

This concept was actually familiar to the Israelites, since their law required blood offerings as atonement for sin (Lev. 17:11). Jesus became our sacrificial lamb, paying “once for all” the sin debt owed by mankind. (1 Pet. 3:18). His death secured forgiveness and eternal life for everyone who trusts Him as Savior. With regard to salvation, nothing else is required or acceptable to God.

Jesus was the one who set things right between the Father and man. He died to bring us . . .

Redemption. This was a word that was used to describe a marketplace transaction—one that buys back something of value. All humanity was in bondage to sin and unable to pay the penalty (Rom. 6:23). As our sacrificial lamb, Jesus willingly died in our place and, with His blood, redeemed us for His Father (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Forgiveness. As God’s adopted children, we have been saved by the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28) and permanently pardoned for our transgressions. The penalty for our actions has been fully paid. So at the moment of salvation, our guilt for the sins we committed—past, present, and future—is wiped away.

Meditate on what the Savior did at Calvary (Eph. 1:7) As the sacrificial Lamb, Jesus exchanged His life for ours and gave it up to pay what we owed. His death redeemed us, secured our forgiveness, and gave us a permanent place in God’s family. Thank You, Jesus, for bringing redemption!
 
Be Blessed!

Dawn