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The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “ Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

In this verse, John speaks of Jesus, anticipating his death on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.

In the Old Testament, it took a blood sacrifice to get forgiveness of sins. Without a blood sacrifice, there was no forgiveness of sins. God himself had to kill an animal to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve after their sin. It was the first sacrifice. Later, God’s covenant with Israel enshrined the blood sacrifice as the price of God’s forgiveness for the sins of his people. These sacrifices enabled them to obtain the atonement for their sins, but they did not release them from their sin. They did not reconcile them with God. The people remained separated from God despite the sacrifice. This is why the people offered sacrifices, then they fell back into sin, then they offered sacrifices again, then fell back into sin. It was an endless cycle. So, the people of God were constantly offering sacrifices over sacrifices as can be seen in the Old Testament.

It took the sacrifice of Jesus to have a perfect forgiveness, one that takes away sin and sets us free from the nature of sin. The sacrifice of Jesus reconciled us to God, so that God came to live in our hearts. The lamb of God was perfect for that, it was enough and it did what no other sacrifice had ever done. It was the perfect, pure, holy, flawless lamb.  It was the lamb OF GOD,

Just as the Lamb of God was the perfect sacrifice, so is everything that comes from God best for me. This sounds obvious, and it’s easy when the will of God meets mine, right ? But how unpleasant it is when the plan of God looks different from mine! I would give anything to have it my way. Anger, tears, despair, prayers, everything goes in. Only God knows how we can fight him before we surrender to his will if we ever do!

There’s nothing wrong with our will, as long as we are committed to submit it to God’s. Yes, it hurts, but we are not alone. Jesus has been there. Remember the prayer : “My father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me”? But , he didn’t stop there. He also said : “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will”. Matthew 26:39.

So, he knows, he feels you, and he is ready to have your back, “For we don’t have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…” Hebrews 4:15. 

Next time you find yourself fighting against the will of God for you, remember these 3 things:

• He knows better than you what you need, he knows your past, your present and your future. He has the big picture. He sees what you don’t see and he knows what has to happen in your life, when, how and all for your good. It may be contrary to what you want right now, it may even be downright horrible for you, but choose to trust him because He is in control and He makes everything work for the good of those who love him, says Romans 8:28.

• all he has for you are “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11.
• Jesus has been there too, he knows what you feel and he can relate.     

Prayer : Father God, teach me to trust you and to surrender my will to yours. Have your way in me Lord, that I may be able to say: your plan, not mine. Your time, not mine. Your glory, not mine. Your will, not mine. Here, now and always. Amen.