Ram of God

Read Genesis 22

God tested Abraham. We've heard a lot about the testing of God. We know that if we are going through a hard time, God can strengthen us to endure. In fact, that may sometimes be the reason for the testing - to strengthen our faith. But that isn't the only reason. God "tempts" no one, but he does "test" us that we might be strengthened, or be a powerful witness, or to work out some other greater good in our life.

But today I don't want to focus so much on the testing, but rather on the sacrifice. It is very interesting to me that the Angel of the Lord (who is the Lord Himself) calls Isaac Abraham's only son. We know that he indeed is not his only son, as we would consider the situation. Has God forgotten about Ishmael? Now that Ishmael has been sent away is he considered no longer to be Abraham's child? Did not God promise that because he was Abraham's son Ishmael would be a multitude as well? Yes God did promise that. And, no, God has not forgotten Ishmael.

But Isaac is the only son of the salvation promise. He is the heir, not just to Abraham's possessions, but heir of the promise of the Messiah. And now, the big test is that Abraham would have to trust that somehow God would be able to keep His promise even if Isaac were killed.

Hebrews 11:17-19 praises Abraham's faith, and also explains for us what is going on in this strange story. It says, "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back."

Yes, Abraham's faith was great. But we see even more. We see that a mere human sacrifice would not be enough to save mankind. Abraham's only son wasn't a good enough payment. It would take God's only Son.

John the Baptist called Jesus the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." He might as well have called him the Ram of God (a male sheep, right?). Isaac was not sacrificed. But a ram caught in the thicket by its horns was offered up by Abraham. And so Jesus would allow himself to be caught, stretched out upon the altar of the cross, even pierced for us. He died that our sins might be forgiven. He was killed that we might have life.

So just as Abraham received Isaac back from the dead in a figurative way, Isaac will also be brought back from the dead in a literal way. So also will Abraham. So will you and I, through faith in the Ram of God. Thanks be to God!

Ask Yourself:

What have been some of the most difficult times of testing for me?

What tests am I enduring now - be they physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual?

God promises to strengthen me! How will looking to Christ, the Ram of God, help me today?

Pray:

We pray from the liturgy today. Right before we commune we sign the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). We pray that today as well:

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace. Amen.

Study with me on Monday,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!