“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” John 1:29-31
When you were young, how did you know when you had done something wrong? Was it a scowl on the face of your parent? Was it a wagging finger from a teacher? Was it the elevated voice of an older sibling as they threw you under the bus? Or, did you just know when you had said or done something that was wrong or hurtful? These four girls attend the Lutheran school at Chincheron and they are like you and me; sinful human beings. We don’t want to be…but that is who we are and will always be until we cease to exist on this earth. Good News; they have a Savior named Jesus and He took all of our sins on His cross. Just as they share this truth with their friends and family who have not yet heard we too must live as forgiven because of Him and spread the Good News with those along our journey. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘I lay my sins on Jesus’ that were written by Horatius Bonar in 1843.
“I lay my sins on Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all and frees us from the accursed load. I bring my guilt to Jesus to wash my crimson stains white in His blood most precious till not a spot remains. I lay my wants on Jesus, all fullness dwells in Him; He healeth my diseases, He doth my soul redeem. I lay my griefs on Jesus, my burdens and my cares; He from them all releases, He all my sorrows shares. I rest my soul on Jesus, this weary soul of mine; His right hand me embraces, I on His breast recline. I love the name of Jesus, Immanuel, Christ the Lord; like fragrance on the breezes His name abroad is poured. I long to be like Jesus, meek, loving, lowly, mild; I long to be like Jesus, the Father's holy Child. I long to be with Jesus amid the heavenly throng to sing with saints His praises, to learn the angels' song.’
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay