Scriptural
Reference:
"And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in
his death, although
he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth."
Isaiah 53:9
"Therefore
the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive
and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."
Isaiah 7:14
"But you,
Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."
Micah 5:2
“For our sake he
made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God”
2 Corinthians 5:21
“You know that
he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin”
1 John 3:5
"He committed
no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth."
1 Peter 2:22
Reflection:
Within this article of faith we find the perfection of Gods' plan for
our salvation. As in his time on Earth, Jesus Christ, the divine Son,
showed us what it means to live in perfect obedience and submission
to God. He represented his people, met the prophets' expectations, and
opened the door to salvation for everyone who believes. Jesus Christ
was the divine Son in human form. It was Jesus the Christ who experienced
life with perfect obedience and with perfect humility.
While we can't
manage to live without sin, Jesus stepped in as our representative,
living a flawless life for us, which is highlighted through the Bible.
His obedient life met the hopes of the Old Testament prophets, who anticipated
that God would send the Messiah whom would save his people and offer
a perfect sacrifice for their sins; Jesus fulfilled both roles. As the
second Adam, he came to share his righteousness with those of us who
inherited Adam's unrighteousness.
The Sacrificial
Lamb: The Passover lamb's sacrifice was an annual event on the Jewish
calendar. It signified the cleaning of the sins of Gods; people. It
was the sacrifice of a perfect unblemished lamb on the altar of God.
It was also a preview of what Jesus Christ would do when the time came
for the Messiah to fulfil the words of the Old Testament Prophets. Often
referred to as the Lamb of God, Jesus' Atonement completed the Law of
Moses and put an end to the need for Passover lamb sacrifices. God asks
us to bring a broken heart and a humble spirit as our offering. For
by our acceptance of the sacrifice of Gods' Son Jesus the Christ on
the Cross we are provided with the means by which we may become reconciled
to God while our past and sinful nature are washed clean. By the atoning
blood shed on the cross.
To be the perfect
sacrifice Jesus needed to be as the lamb sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:21).
In that He needed to be perfect and blameless before God. Even after
living life in human flesh and being tempted, as we are each day, The
Lord did not give in to sin. Though we might ask why a lamb is viewed
and even used in this way. Reading the Bible we find mentions of a range
of different animals that were sacrificed. These were such animals as
goats, oxen, calves, and even birds such as doves. The concept of using
a "lamb" for sacrifice comes from the belief that lambs are innocent
and pure: Thus making them a symbol of something that really shouldn't
have to be sacrificed. And yet they were sacrificed to atone for the
sins of the people. A ritual that only worked once a year as it was
not a perfect solution to the sins of the people. Or the distance between
God and His creation: that only a perfect sacrifice would be able bridge;
that being Jesus the Christ.
It is a common
occurrence in our world for individuals to readily dismiss the uniqueness
of Jesus the Christ by asserting that He was just an ordinary man. This
notion is fuelled by various human-conceived beliefs, religious ideologies,
and spiritual movements that put forward their own assertions. Among
these claims are those concerning the virgin birth and miraculous healings,
with proponents unable to proclaim that their leaders were free of sin.
The pervasive nature of this phenomenon in society perpetuates a cycle
of fabrication, reinterpretation, and distortion of the truth. Such
misrepresentations have led many to either deny the existence of sin
altogether or absolve themselves from any responsibility for their own
transgressions. The relentless prevalence of misbeliefs and misconceptions
further compounds the challenge of discerning the genuine truth amid
the sea of conflicting information. With such prevalent scepticism and
reluctance to accept accountability for moral wrongdoing, the task of
upholding moral values and recognizing the concept of sin becomes increasingly
difficult in a world where truth is constantly challenged and diluted.
As Christians,
our understanding of sin and its origin is profound, rooted in the teachings
that have enlightened us. With opened eyes, we recognize the depth and
truth that reveals the sinlessness embodied by Jesus Christ, the divine
essence of the Word and Son of God. This awareness guides our journey,
shaping our beliefs and perspectives as we continue to delve deeper
into the profound grace and purity that define the essence of Christ.
It is through this understanding that we find solace, strength, and
inspiration in striving to emulate the impeccable virtues exemplified
by Jesus, shedding light on the path that leads to spiritual growth
and enlightenment.
Thus, our faith
is enriched by the ceaseless exploration of the omnipresent goodness
and righteousness that resonates through the teachings of Jesus, instilling
in us a sense of purpose and devotion that transcends mere belief to
a deeper personal connection with the divine. This divine connection
nurtures our souls, providing a sanctuary of peace amidst the tumultuous
nature of existence, reinforcing our commitment to walking the path
of righteousness and embracing the profound love and forgiveness offered
by the teachings of Christ. In essence, our faith becomes not just a
belief system but a way of life, a constant source of guidance and comfort
as we navigate the complexities of the world, anchored in the unwavering
grace of Jesus Christ.
"For we do not
have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses,
but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without
sin." Hebrews 4:15
We're blessed to
have Jesus the Christ as our mediator and intercessor, guiding us towards
transcending our sins through His divine grace. His transformative power
not only washes away our transgressions but also instils within us a
renewed sense of purpose and purity. By bestowing upon us a new spirit,
Jesus paves the way for a deep reconciliation with our Creator, God,
who watches over us as a compassionate Father.
In our human imperfections,
Jesus stands as the epitome of perfection and purity, showcasing to
us the ideal embodiment of a sinless life. His unwavering devotion to
fulfilling the will of God serves as a guiding light for us, illuminating
the path towards spiritual growth and awakening. As we strive to emulate
His virtuous ways, we find ourselves drawn closer to God's divine presence,
where forgiveness and salvation await those who seek redemption through
the grace of Jesus the Christ.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
It's only by your Son,
That we are saved.
From the sins we bear.
We thank and praise
you,
In all that we do and say,
That we may shine,
The gospel light of grace.
Jesus the Christ,
We praise you Holy name,
Though you were sinless,
You died in our place,
Redeeming each of us.
Holy Spirit,
We embrace you,
As you guide us each day,
Teaching us in humility,
To trust in Faith and Prayer.
Amen