DEFINITION OF TERMS

(For Serious Students Only)

LAMB

LAMB OF GOD

SACRIFICE

SACRIFICE AND OFFERING
I. In the Old Testament
II. In the New Testament

God gave John the Baptist, the 'cousin' of Jesus, the role of announcing Him to the world.

Elizabeth and Zechariah lived in Jerusalem, so it is almost certain that John and Jesus would have known each other well. Joseph, often with Mary and their family, would have made regular trips from Nazareth to Jerusalem to attend the annual religious festivals of Passover, Weeks (Pentecost) and Tabernacles.

John had a powerful ministry in his own right, so much so that even the priests and the Levites wondered if he might be 'the Christ'. He denied it, informing them he was preparing the way for the Lord and they needed to get their lives in order now!

The Jews believed that Elijah would return before the Messiah came.

So in order to give their masters a better answer the priests investigated John's possible 'Elijah role'. John didn't give them a direct answer, but did indirectly, through focusing attention on Jesus.

So now we have the situation set up for the two to meet on a new basis, not as cousins, but as the prophet John heralding the launching of the ministry of the Lord. At which time John announced Jesus as being the 'Lamb of God'.

In Jewish culture and thought, testimony and experience are of greatest importance, rather than the facts and logic of our Greek based, Western cultures. So John confirmed His statements with the greatest testimony of all, his confirmation from God of his revelation of Jesus. In Jewish culture this testimony was the strongest endorsement John could possibly give of the Sonship of Jesus.

Being announced as the 'Lamb of God', would also have been of significance, in light of the daily sacrifices of the lamb on the Altar of the Temple. This was well understood by the writer of Hebrews.

Yes, Jesus indeed, is the Lamb of God.

Through John, we have the announcement of the Lamb of God, Jesus, who would in 3 1/2 short years die for you and for me on the cross.

It was prophesied through Isaiah, 700 years before the event occurred, that the Lamb would suffer and be slaughtered for us. How Jesus would die a horrible, yet victorious death for you and me.

Philip confirmed this truth when the eunuch enquired of whom the scripture had been written.

Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, likened His death on the cross to that of the Passover Lamb, which we looked at earlier.

Peter stated that the Christ was indeed a Lamb without blemish or defect who lived, died and rose again, to be glorified by God.

Finally John, the disciple Jesus loved, in the vision he received on the Island of Patmos, saw the Lamb that was slain, walking in victory!

The Lamb standing before the throne, being worshipped by believers from all over the earth! Hallelujah!

So what is our response to the death of the Lamb of God on the cross, that day on Calvary's forlorn hill to be? Christ died for us.

As Jesus died for us, we are to respond by living sinless lives.

It's not easy! We can only do it because Jesus is interceding for before the Father.

We are to set our eyes on things above, putting to death our earthly nature, developing a virtuous character, learning to forgive others and walk in love.

If we continue to live this way throughout our lives we are promised we will reign with Jesus.

That is our both our hope and the promise of God. 

LAMB OF VICTORY
Over Satan (1st of 2)

The 'good' story starts after Jesus dies!

This week is the first of a 2 part look at His victory over the age-old enemy, satan.

Thank you Jesus for coming, for living amongst us as a man, and being prepared to die such a horrendous death so that we may be reconciled to the Father through you.

We love you, we exalt you and we worship you today!

ANCIENT MEN'S HAIR

In Israel, the Hebrew men and women wore long hair, yet it was trimmed to show humility. Baldness was wholly despised and extremely long hair was the characteristic of the Nazarite. By the time of Jesus men wore their hair much shorter. They also left their sides uncut near the ears. In Israel it was customary for hair to be kept neat and when hair was messy it was usually a sign of mourning or distress.

Source: http://www.bible-history.com