Christian Reflection and Prayer

"He Takes Away the Sin of the World"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer
February 19, 2015


Read John 1:19-34. TEXT: "The next day John saw Jesus coming
toward him and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away
the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29).

Lenten Devotion-  The teacher walks into the classroom and finds 
a broken vase. She's not sure who broke it, but she has a pretty
good idea. She singles out the one child who always gets into
trouble -- the scapegoat -- and though it's completely unfair, off he
goes to face the principal in place of the child who is truly guilty.

The word "scapegoat" comes to us from the Old Testament Day
of Atonement, the day God forgave the nation's sins. God
commanded His people to bring a goat to His altar. The priest laid
his hand on its head confessing the sins of the people of Israel.
The scapegoat took the punishment for their sins as it was led out
into the wilderness.

Here in the middle of John's first chapter, John the Baptist points
at Jesus and calls out, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away
the sin of the world!" John looks past Jesus' Baptism to Good
Friday when He will suffer the full wrath and punishment for our
sins. When we receive the assurance of God's forgiveness in
Jesus' body and blood in Holy Communion, we repeat John's words,
"Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on
us; grant us peace."

As we follow Jesus through this season of Lent, we will see how
brightly God's Light shines in our dark world.

THE PRAYER:

Lord God, turn my eyes to my Savior this Lenten season that I may
say with John the Baptist, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world" -- and my sins. In Jesus' Name. Amen.