The Lamb That Was Slain

Lambs are a special part of our faith history. Exodus 12:1-13 tells the story of the Jews being directed by God to pick out one perfect lamb for their household, kill it, eat it and paint the blood around their doorpost to avoid the killing of the first born male in their family. The blood of that lamb covering their doorway saved them from death. Death simply passed by their home that night. Each year, the Jews celebrated Passover as commanded by God to remember how he passed over them and saved them from death.

Many years later, a very special baby boy was born, Jesus, the Son of God. When Jesus began his ministry, John the Baptist pointed Jesus out to the crowds saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29b) So why is Jesus called a soft furry, stupid (have you met a lamb? I have! Not the brightest!) and smelly animal? That first passover the Jews celebrated, clothes packed, shoes on, fearful, clinging to each other and their faith in God was the first glimpse of salvation to come. God needed blood, perfect blood to cover the cost of sin. On that night, the blood of a perfect lamb saved the Jews, but it wasn't a one time payment. That one lamb wasn't enough. They had to make sacrifices often and live by a set of strict rules. This way of life went on for generations. God had a plan, though! He loves us so much that he made sure we had a way to cover our sins when the first bite from the forbidden fruit was taken. God loves, but he is just and fair. So, he did the unthinkable. He sent his son down to us. His one perfect son. A perfect lamb.

We don't sacrifice lambs anymore, or eat them at passover because the sacrifice has been made. It's done. Finished. Jesus did it for you and for me. He took the blows. He took the nails. Our perfect Jesus, who did nothing wrong took the weight of yours and my sin on his shoulders and willingly shed his blood to cover yours and my sin. On that fateful day at 3pm as his mother and dear friends looked on, Jesus cried out from the cross taking his last breath. He died. Jesus is the lamb of God. Undeserving of death, his blood saves me from my own sin. It gives me life that I don't deserve and a home in heaven with my Father. No catch, no more payments needed, no amount of good deeds to do or rules to follow, no more lambs to sacrifice. All I have to do is believe in Jesus. He is the Son of God!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

John 3:16-17

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I had the privilege to design and make an Easter cake for a local Christian preschool. I am humbled by what our Father had tasked me with and the amazing inspiration of his Son, our lamb. The following is the story of salvation through Christ in the form of cake and cookies!

Jesus, the lamb of God

Jesus is a gift for everyone. A gift that comes out of love from the Father.

God sent his Son only because he love us.

When we believe in Jesus, we have a new life. We are not only changed
here in this life and act differently because we love Jesus, but we have eternal
life at the end of this earthly life. This is not the end, only the beginning!