The Lamb and the Cross

And laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (Luke 2:7-12) .

FIELD OF LAMBS AND THE LAIR OF THE LION

Cry of the baby in the cradle woke up a sleeping nation. Israel had slept for 400 years.

 Than Jesus came from eternity to be bound in bandages of swaddling clothes.

In a special sense He was bound from birth!

He was bound by a human body – limitations of human nature and human life.

Yet there is greatness in Jesus even in this limitation. He would set people free and easily raised Lazarus from the grave.

Bound by lack of reputation.

Bound by lack of finance.

Bound by lack of property.

He was and is surprisingly different. He was bound in a sense by the unbelief of men and woman. He has the power to save all those who believe in His love and sacrifice.

At the time of his birth, shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night. Sheep and lambs 1000 are of them in the fields and pastures of Israel. Many of them destined for the Passover sacrifices for sin.

In the stable we see ‘The Lamb of God and also The Lion of the tribe of Judah.

RIVER OF REVELATION

Jordan river.

John. Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

The Father. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Descending dove of the Holy Spirit.  Triumph of the Trinity touches the people and the nation. Possibility for all in our Lord Jesus Christ. Insignificant river highly significant event. Salvation is based

on every single word, action and event of the life of Jesus. Each, is a vital contribution to his great scheme of redemption and salvation .

PATHWAY OF THE RAINBOW OF REDEMPTION

His ministry was a rainbow of colours. Like the rainbow in the sky I saw yesterday it came from the heavens and touched the earth. The linkage of love and promise.

He came to seek and to save that which is lost - good news

To preach good tidings – good news.

To bind up the broken-hearted – good news.

To proclaim liberty to the captives –good news.

He is the light which lighteth every man and woman every boy and girl.

Jesus can easily forgave our sin and weaknesses and failings.

See the splendid colours of forgiveness - peace – been made clean – Love from heaven in our hearts – certainty of His nearness and protection in our lives. Assurance of a place in heaven with loved ones gone before. Christians have the Colours of the Trinity in their daily lives. Christians are good to be with and Christians are good to talk to. Christians are better than television, I pods, Photo frames and laptop computers. They are all very good and useful to us for many reasons but Christian fellowship and friendship is spectacularly unique and beneficial. That is why we meet together regularly. Jesus is with us every time – Right now at this moment.

MOUNTAIN OF TRANSFIGURATION AND SHINING GLORY

His Heavenly majesty and glory made his Body glisten and shine.

Transfigured before them on the Mount.

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Matthew 17:2.  His majesty and glory broke through .

HILL OF THE CROSS AND THE CROWN OF VICTORY AND COMPLETION

The place of victory the destination of the Lamb and the Lion.

Calvary is the place of the Cross.

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Luke 23:33

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. John 19: 19-20.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18.

MOUNT OF PERFECTION AND PROMISE

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11.

May 2008 be the year of our faithful witness to the Lamb and to the Cross.

1/1/2008