Text:Isaiah 53:1-7; Romans 3:21-26
Today we are at week four of our advent journey this year. We will continue on with the fact that Christ came to earth as a babe in great humility. Christ came to earth to be the perfect Lamb, wash away the sin of all who would turn to Him, and redeem us to God the Father. Isaiah 53 is a great passage but one of sorrow and it is heavy with Truth.
It was prophesied that Christ would take on the form of man. This passage compares Christ to a tender sprout and a root out of dry ground. These items to most would be nothing and pretty much worthless. Christ gives us the perfect example to follow. It is not about us at all. We as humans tend to make everything about us but we should be pointing all around us to the Father, I Cor. 10:31; Ps. 115:1; Col. 3:17.
Christ also took our punishment and became the man of sorrows for us. He gives us the perfect example of being broken, having empathy for others, and helping even those who do not deserve it. The Bible tells us that God blesses those who have a contrite heart, Ps. 51:17; Ps. 34:18; Is. 66:2. We also are to follow the example and have empathy for others, Rom. 12:15; I Pet. 3:8. As well as helping those God brings into our path, Gal. 6:2.
Christ willingly gave Himself for us and never opened His mouth to complain or curse those who caused Him pain. Too many times I find myself grumbling and may I follow Christ’s example, Phil. 2:14; I Cor. 10:10. Instead, may I be thankful and praise the Lord for every circumstance and build others up, I Thess. 5:18; Eph. 4:29.
Christ is the perfect Lamb that washes away the sin of the world, I John 2:1, 2. Christ is the propitiation or appeasing for sin. Christ then becomes our advocate. We have God in the flesh making intercession for us continually. Christ is pleading our case, encouraging us to stand and live according to Truth, and lifting us up constantly. What a privileged to have God Himself making our case and encouraging our hearts. May we live to worship the Father, Son and Holy Ghost every day. Christ is the Lamb!