Christmas Means More Than You’ve Realized By Mark L. Bailey

 

Christmas Means More Than You’ve Realized By Mark L. Bailey The opening introduction of Jesus by John the Baptist states, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”(John 1:29). While He was the lamb who was sacrificed, Jesus was also the priest who offered Himself as the sacrifice. Hebrews 7:26–27 states, “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest … He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” Christ timed His death—not by chance but by choice—at the time of the Passover celebration. Our Lord Jesus, born in Bethlehem where all sacrificial lambs were born, died in Jerusalem where all sacrificial lambs were killed. And He will return to reign from that same region. How magnificent to know our sovereign God orchestrated the events of Jewish and Roman history and tradition. God caused Mary and Joseph to be in Bethlehem so Jesus would be born as predicted and within the environmental and special limits where the sacrificial lambs would be prepared. Jesus is our Passover Lamb.

TODAY’S PRAYER Dear God, thank You for arranging the events of our world in such a way that the promised Messiah would be born in just the way prophecy foretold. Knowing You are always working on our behalf gives us courage and confidence to live for You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.