“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
The Stain Remover
All people make mistakes. Coaches don’t always live up to their own standards. All athletes falter at times, are assessed a penalty or let down his or her teammates or family members in some way.
When we mess up, we feel like an enduring mark is seen by everyone in this social media culture. It is like when we are eating a hamburger or a hotdog and spill ketchup or mustard on our shirt or pants. Sometimes we don’t wear our best clothes when we eat our favorite foods because those stubborn stains might be permanent. Though we spray stain removers before putting it in the washing machine, it doesn’t always work.
When we sin, our wrongdoing puts a stain on us. Though people may hold it against us, God looks down in mercy and wants to cleanse us completely, if we will cooperate with him. “‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool'” (Isaiah 1:18).
When God forgives us, He wants us to admit our wrongdoing, and it is wrong to deny our sinfulness. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). In fact, sin is a serious matter and blood sacrifice is required to pay for it in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (Leviticus 17:11).
The offering of a spotless male sheep in Old Testament times was a preview of the primary sacrifice in New Testament times. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and summarized this glorious truth about salvation. “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).
Jesus is the great stain remover for our sin.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
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