Last Friday, an article was published in the Toronto Star, subtitled, "An Easter Gift". It read in part, "On Thursday, the roughly 6-month-old lamb was spared from his fate at a nearby meat-packing plant, thanks to an unusual agreement between plant staff and local animal rights activists" who were "asking for just one lamb to be spared. To their surprise, the meat packing company agreed. … It was all in the spirit of Easter." The article went on to say that he was later taken to an animal sanctuary where he would spend the rest of his life.

In contrast, it did not go that way for another Lamb, the Lamb of God:

John 1:29 – The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (NIV)

John 19:6b-7 – Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him." The Jewish leaders insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God." (NIV)

This crowd did not ask for His release but rather His death: "Crucify him! Crucify him!" The governor wanted to free Him, but for fear of the chief priests and the shouting mob, he capitulated. He valued the praise of men over the praise of God.

While Meadow, the little lamb, was taken to an animal sanctuary where he is to stay for the rest of his life, the amazing contrast is that the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, was crucified on a cross. He gave His life as a sacrifice for the sins of all humanity, because "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22b NIV). But God raised Him on the third day, which we now call Easter Sunday, and took His Son to spend the rest of His days in the sanctuary which we call heaven.

And that was God's Easter gift to mankind.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that we have been offered such a priceless gift, not just at Easter but every moment of the year. We pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to those who have not yet received Jesus as their Saviour through this simple story which reminds us of the greatest story ever told. Amen.

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About the author:

Sharon Y. Greer <sygreer11@gmail.com>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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