Christmas: God’s Sacrifice

For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given. Isaiah 9:6

         Isaiah prophesied this saying, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:2”.

         In all the history, God was so jealous for His people. Even though the Israelites were rebellious and lived a sinful life, God’s heart was to forgive them and desired for a communion with His people. God asked them to offer Burnt Offerings, a sacrifice of some of the clean animals and clean birds and shedding of their innocent blood for the remission of their sins.

             “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul.

Leviticus 17:11”.

          The sin in the earth continued to grow and so the burnt offerings also continued to grow. It was then one day God looked in to the future and prophesied through Isaiah, “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7”

          The prophets, the angels, the wise men, all of the earth and the Heaven were waiting for the day of this prophesy. They expected this child to be a King. None even had a clue that His throne and His kingdom is not of this world. But only the Lord knew why this Child will be born in the earth.

         The long awaited day came, when Virgin Mary bore the promised Child in her womb. He is born! The Child is born! But the world did not know that He is the promised Child. He grew up as a lowly humble son in a carpenter’s family.

         At the appointed time, He stepped out fulfilling all the prophecies concerning Him. God Almighty spoke, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Mathew 3:17”. The demons fell to their knees and cried out in fear, “What do you want with us, Son of God? Mathew 8:29”. The saints, the prophets and all of the Heaven were eagerly waiting to see, “Why the Son of God is sent to earth!” Blind see! Crippled and lame walk! Deaf hear! Dumb speak! Dead rose again from the grave! Miracles all the way! He walked and lived as the Son of God. But His own people knew Him not as a Son of God rather a carpenter’s son.

         Expected to be born a King and rule His people with crown and throne. Now this Son was betrayed and hated by His own people. Expected to be praised, “Messiah! Son of God! Crown Him!” Now accused, “Blasphemer! Employer of demons! Crucify Him!” The heaven had no clue what’s happening. God and His Son knew exactly why this is so.

“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief. Isaiah 53:10”

          Beaten to bleed! Flesh of His body torn! He was given a cross to carry. From Jerusalem to Golgotha His own people gathered around mocking, spitting and accusing.

           And as He was climbing the hill with a wooden cross on His shoulder, Abraham looked at it and his thoughts have travelled back to mount Moriah. Abraham and his promised son Isaac climbed up the hill to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering to the Lord. Isaac was carrying the wood to place the offering on the altar. Abraham with a heavy heart told the innocent Isaac that the Lord will provide, when he asked of the offering. Isaac never knew that he was the offering. Isaac was laid on the altar and Abraham took the knife to slay his son as a sacrifice. It was then the Lord sent an angel to stop Abraham. Abraham passed the test of faith.

            Abraham now knew how the heart of the Lord would be to sacrifice His own innocent son. Also Abraham thought that this might be a test to the Son of God and expected that at the end the Lord will stop the people from crucifying His Son. But proving his expectations wrong, the people crucified Him with a crown of thorns on His head. And when the Son of God cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Abraham remembered the Lamb that was caught by its horns in the bushes, which he sacrificed as a burnt offering instead of his son.

           It was then Abraham realized that it was not the people who crucified the Son of God but it was God Himself who offered His only begotten Son as a burnt offering for His people, on the cross. Knowing the complete heart of the Father,the Son offered Himself on the cross once for all, and fulfilled His call of Christ.

            A Child born to die! So that people of God will live even if they die! Unto us a Child is given! His name is Jesus, the Name above all names in all the heavens, in the earth and beneath. Remember! Every time you worship the Lord freely and call unto His holy name with boldness and when you call Him “Abba Father!” remember, the Lamb was slain! Jesus crucified! From the beginning to now and till the end, this Son’s blood speaks louder for you! Forget Not! The red carpet that welcomes you to the Father’s bosom is the blood of His own Son.

Jesus is the ultimate representation of God’s love and sacrifice for you and me.

Dear Lord Jesus, now I realize, what great love the Father has lavished on me, that I should be called a child of God. In faith I confess, even as I pray now, Your blood is all over me. Purifying me off my filthy rags. Clothing me with pure white robe. Crowning me with the crown of Glory. Lord Jesus, in Your name and in the authority of Your blood, I command a complete healing in my body. May Your light fill my soul. Here I am Lord! Empty handed! But alive, in your Love. Hold me close to You. Amen, in Jesus name.

R.Wesley Porpatham,

Co-Founder, God’s Love Missions