The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  John 1:29

Imagine an annual religious ritual where two goats were used to cleanse the people of their sins. One goat was ceremonially sacrificed with its blood offered for the sins of the people, while the other goat had to bear the sins of the entire nation before being released into the wild. This may sound like a scene from a Discovery Channel special, but this is actually right out of the Old Testament book of Leviticus.  God’s people had sinned against him greatly, and the only way they could be forgiven of their sins was through the sacrifice of innocent animals. But the problem with this ritual was that the results were only temporary. Every year there would be new sins requiring new sacrifices from new animals. The process of covering the people’s sins was exhausting. But God had another plan in mind.  God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to be the sacraficial lamb for his people. Jesus wasn’t sent to be a temporary sacrifice to provide relief from the consequences of sin. He was sent to be the final sacrifice for everyone’s sins—past, present and future. His death is the final payment for all who believe in him. 

But even though Jesus paid the price, there are some who still rely on rituals to save them. Some even try to earn forgiveness by doing enough good deeds. But none of these works will earn forgiveness from a holy God. Only the sacrifice of Christ can. Don’t rely on your own sacrifices to cleanse your sins. Instead, look to the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

Lord, I want to take this time to confess my sins to you. I have done some things that are not pleasing in your sight. But I thank you for sending your son to be the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. Because of his death, I can experience permanent forgiveness and experience eternal life with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.