Behold The Lamb (3)

Intro

This morning I would like to conclude this mini series on Behold the Lamb.

We have seen thus far The Promise of the Lamb, The Preparation of the Lamb and today I want us to see the Provision of the Lamb.

God has provided us with so many things in our lives, but I believe we could all admit that the greatest provision is of course Jesus Christ.

So this morning I wnat to work our way through what is known as the Christmas Story.

Turn with me to Lukes Gospel Chapter 2

These first five verses give us a good launching pad into seeing why the Lamb had to be provided.

The Situation Surrounding the Provision vs.1-5

Sovereign Declaration vs. 1-2

This would be the catapult that would place Mary and Joesph in the right place at the right time.

There was another declaration that was given. Not by a man but by God. Gen.2:16-17

Genesis 2:16–17 KJV 1900

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

The only law man had was to not eat of one tree, yet he would fail in less than 20 verses.

But God gave this command to place man in the right place at the right time.

God knew way before He even created Adam, that Adam would fall. God had already began preparing the provision before the foundations of the world.

Adams fall did not surprise God, it broke His heart but it did not surprise Him.

The Sovereigns Declaration in the garden and the sovereign declaration by Cesar was to place man in the right place at the right time.

Society’s Direction 3-5

ceaser gave the declaration for every man to return to his own country.

Ever since Adam’s fall, society has been headed there own way. Judges 21:25

Judges 21:25 KJV 1900

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Paul tells us in Rom.1 that man sinceAdam has always been in it for hisself.

yes society returned because of one man’s command, and society was doomed because of one man’s disobedience.

But both of these were in Gods plan to send a provision.

Main

So we now see why the lamb had to be provided.

Now we can see a few things about the provision its self

I. The Presentation of the Provision

The first thing we see is the presentation of the provision. When God presented His Son to the world, there were something’s in the presentation that I believe can help us better understand why and where he came.

A. The Timing

Galatians 4:4 KJV 1900

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

The moment that creation had yearned for had finally arrived.

The world had anticipated the coming of the Messiah since the first prophecy concerning Him in the Garden of Eden.

The fullness of God’s timing had been fulfilled and the Christ child was born.

I thought of the wonder and excitement of birth. It is a miracle of God when a child is born into this world.

What began so small that a microscope would not be able to pinpoint its detail is brought forth as a complete, tiny human being. The time is marked and recorded at that moment.

We don’t have an exact time for our Lord’s birth, but we are assured through God’s Word that He came just as God had promised.

It was that moment that forever changed humanity.

The Christ had come to provide salvation for the world.

The King of glory had made His entrance into this world robed in flesh as a man.

B. The Clothing

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes

We have heard these words over and over again, but how often do we stop to consider their significance.

Clearly they reveals the great care that Mary had for Jesus.

When a child was swaddled it ment the child was cared for and loved.

But there is a greater significance that we need to see in the garment that Jesus was clothed in at birth.

Mary wrapped Him in strips of cloth that were also used commonly at death for a loved one.

There is no indication that is was rags.

it showed the great love one had for the one that is being buried.

At His birth, Christ was wrapped in grave clothes!

Just moments after His birth, the cross was already in view.

We cannot celebrate Christmas without considering Calvary.

C. The Bedding

laid him in a manger

Jesus was placed in a manger, literally a feeding trough, after His birth.

What a picture we see in this as well.

This also is a foreshadowing of what His life would be like.

He told His disciples that the birds have nest yet the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.

The manger was a borrowed feed trough just as the tomb that He would be laid in was borrowed.

It is also a foreshadow of what He would provide for those that would come to Him.

Our Lord was placed in a manger where animals fed and received nourishment.

This reveals to us yet another promise that Jesus would fulfill.

He came as the Bread of Life to those who stand in need of spiritual nourishment.

He came to feed those who are perishing in hunger from their sins.

John 6:35 KJV 1900

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:51 KJV 1900

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

D. The Welcoming

there was no room for them in the Inn

John 1:11 KJV 1900

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

All of this transpired because there was no room for them in the inn.

As Joseph made his way to Bethlehem he found no one who would have compassion for His wife and soon to be delivered Child.

There was no palace or servants to wait upon them.

They weren’t even afforded the luxuries of a cheap motel.

Jesus was born in a cattle stall as the world slept oblivious to the birth of their Savior.•

This was just the beginning of His rejection here upon this earth.

He was a Man of miracles and compassion;

One who spoke with authority and power,

and yet He was rejected of men.•

Things have not changed much in our day.

Many will celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ, and yet they will ignore and reject Jesus. He who gave His life on the cross for all humanity is still despised and rejected. Very few have room in their hearts for the Lord.

II. The Proclamation of the Provision

His welcoming into this world was silent to most, but to the ones that should have been the last to recive such a message according to their society, they were the first to hear the good news.

So what do we see about this proclamation

A. It was Personnel

The angel declared that Christ was born unto them. \

He had come to meet their needs.

Shepherds in that day were considered the lowest of the social class.

Most were scorned and looked down upon.

but yet they received the greatest news ever told.

The Savior had come and He had come for them.•

I rejoice that we have the privilege of knowing Jesus in a personal way.

He came for me and He came for you.

He came for all mankind!

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

B. It Was Precise

The angel revealed just where to find the Lord.

He was born in the city of David.

They were also told that He would be found wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

There was little doubt the Lord had come and the shepherds were directed to Him.•

That hope still remains, even in this sin cursed generation.

The Son of God still has power to save and He stands ready to redeem all who will come to Him.

He is not a fairy tale or legend.

He lived and died to set men free.

I rejoice that I was pointed to the Lord and accepted Him!

We have the hope of humanity in this precious Book and we are obligated to share Him with the world. Point the perishing to Jesus!

C. It Was Profound

Once they made it to Bethlehem they would discover a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

This was no ordinary birth and this was no ordinary baby.

This was God in the flesh, the Savior of the world.

The shepherds were told that they would encounter the Messiah.•

Oh how our world needs to see Jesus in a profound way.

He is more than just a prophet, teacher, and miracle worker.

He is more than a man who showed great compassion.

He is not just a lord; He is the Lord.

He is not one of many ways; He is the way!

He lived 2,000 years ago and He is still changing lives today.

D. It Was Powerful

The host of heaven knew that something spectacular had happened.

The King of glory had come down to earth.

With glorious praise, the heavenly choir rejoiced in the birth of our Lord.

It stirred the heavenly host into song.•

Surely His birth ought to stir us as well.

Never has a man defined the course of humanity as Christ did.

He came to this earth so that we might live.

We have the glorious privilege of knowing Him.

As we ponder His birth, life, and death, it ought to bring us to our feet in praise and adoration of the King!

III. The Procession of the Provision

A. The Wisdom of the Sinner

These men were likely uneducated, but they knew enough to understand that something wonderful and miraculous had taken place.

They wasted no time in going to worship the Christ child.

They certainly didn’t want to miss out on this experience.

God illuminated their minds to the presence of the Lord.

I don’t know much, but I know that something wonderful has happened in my life. I can’t explain it all, but I surely do rejoice in all that I have received in Christ my Lord.

B. The Witness of the Shepherds

These were men who were largely rejected by society, but they had to share the good news they had received.

They told everyone they encountered about the Christ that was born.•

They could not remain silent about such a miracle

Not only the miraculous birth, but I believe they were witnessing about the miracle that God did in them.

I pray that we too will be stirred in our souls in such a way that we can’t be quiet about all the Lord has done for us.

Let us shout it from the rooftops that Jesus saves!

C. The Worship of the Saints

Even though their minds could not comprehend it all, they rejoiced and meditated upon these things.•

There should be no Christian anywhere that does not worship.

If you are saved by the grace of God, though you cant understand why He would save a sinner like you or I, you can and should worship Him.

Worship comes through cooperate worship, personal worship

It comes in the form of giving back to God

It comes by prayer or just meditating on what God has done in your life.

If you are one of His, you might as well get use to worshipping Him down here because that is all you will be doing up there in glory!

D. The Willingness of the Savior

Finally we see the willingness of the Savior

turn with me to the last few chapters of Lukes gospel to Luke 22:39-42

Luke 22:39–42 KJV 1900

And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

The first thing we see about the willingness of the savior is

1. His willingness to please the father

Christ as 100 percent man did not want to die, but as God he knew He had to die.

He was never at anytime while on this earth in the flesh, poised to please himself. His goal was always to glorify His Father.

We can take a good lesson from this, that though our flesh may not want to endure such contridiction, we should always be willing to please the Father

Now look at Luke 23: 34-43.

His willingness to Pardon the Fallen

Not only did he have a willingness to please the father, he had a willingness to pardon the fallen.

Even while hanging on the cross, Christ cried out Father forgive them for they no not what they do.

He told the theif that today he would be with Christ in paradise.

He was and is willing to Pardon the Fallen. Thank God that He was willing and able to save a sinner like me.

He is not only willing to save you He is more than able to save you if you only come to him by faith.

Wont you come this morning?

Conclusion

I pray that you all enjoy the best Christmas ever, but I hope that we each regain the wonder of it all.

May we not get so caught up in the busyness and commercialism of Christmas to reflect on the wonder of His birth.

Let us pause for praise and worship Him as we reflect upon the coming of our King.

It is too much to comprehend, but we can praise Him anyway.

I love to read the Christmas story. It is very familiar to us, but it never grows old.

Have you ever recieved the gift, the provision, that God has given to the world? If not you can today.

Paul tells us in Rom. 10:9-10

Romans 10:9–10 KJV 1900

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Confess and believe its that simple.

I trust you know Christ as your Savior. He is truly the greatest Gift ever given.