The Spotless Lamb

Scripture Readings: 

Luke 2:8-20

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

14  “Glory to God in the highest, 

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 

Hebrews 9:22

Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.

Commentary: 

The Spotless Lamb (Tre Wiggins)

God has always required life for sin. This is why, year after year, lambs were sacrificed for the sake of the people under the Old Covenant. Passover was an event in which blood would be placed over the doorposts of the homes of God’s people to show that blood “covered” them. It was the blood of an animal that was seen as the life in the animal. In short, death would be required to cover sin. Further, God mandated that the sheep presented to Him for sacrifice be without blemish. 

Of course, most sheep were not unblemished, which necessitated the watchful care of a specific kind of shepherd trained to look out for sheep to ready them for sacrifice. In the story of the birth of Christ, some shepherds show up to worship Christ. These are not just any shepherds, however. They are the kind of shepherds who looked out for unblemished sheep. 

Consider that for a moment: God sent shepherds who normally pick out sheep for slaughter in the Temple to the “Lamb of God.” The spotless, perfect, Son of God was met by shepherds who would see the final sacrifice with their own eyes. No more Temple sacrifices necessary. His blood would cover the sins of the people with finality. Just like the old hymns says, 

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Prayer & Reflection: 

Father, thank you for the shed blood of Jesus on my behalf! I praise you for Christ living the perfect life to make atonement for my sin. What I could not do, the Lamb of God did for me. Grace upon grace!