When John the Baptist saw "Jesus as He walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:36).

We all understand that the Passover lamb first slaughtered by the Israelites some 1480 years before Jesus’ birth pointed to Jesus’ sacrifice. The lamb killed by the Israelites was not selected at the last minute: "On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb" (Exodus 12:3).

As the lamb of God Jesus was selected for His sacrifice beforehand: "You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" (1 Peter 1:18-20).

In Egypt the Passover lamb saved the Israelites’ lives: "When I see the blood [of the Passover lamb], I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt" (Exodus 12:13).

As the lamb of God Jesus took our sins upon Himself, freeing us from the death penalty for sin: "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).

Why did God send His lamb into the world? "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Jesus is not only the lamb of God, but also our special Passover lamb: "Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7).

With these thoughts I wish us all a rewarding Sabbath!