lesson from a lamb

John 1:29 (ESV) 

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

When a ewe has a lamb and it dies for some reason, the skin can be taken from the dead lamb and placed over an orphan lamb which can then be introduced to the mother whose lamb died. She will smell the scent of her own lamb and will accept it as her own. Usually after a day or so the skin can be removed as a permanent bond will have been established between the mother and the lamb.

Remember God killed animals to make coats of skins for Adam and Eve.

When Jesus died on the cross His blood was shed for us. He did this for us to deal with the problem of our sins which are a barrier between us and God. He provided a coat or a cover for us that we put on by faith and God accepts us because He smells the sweet fragrance of Jesus.

When you see the little adopted lamb skipping and jumping in the field you must remember a lamb died to give it a new life.

Likewise when we see a sinner, saved by grace adopted into Gods family and enjoying a close relationship with Him we must remember a lamb died to make this possible. The Lamb of God. But remember Jesus rose again from the dead because he had no sins of his own. Hallelujah.

The adopted lamb sometimes finds it strange to be with a different mother than its own but it soon settles down if it is well fed.

Likewise Gods children who have been rescued from the devil can take a wee while to get adjusted to a relationship with God but God being well able to meet His child`s every need soon settles down, albeit sometimes it takes a bit longer than a lamb.

Dear Lord, thanks for covering us with Your blood so that we may be at home with You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Sheep Listen to My Voice.

John 10:27 (NIV)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Millie, the lamb, began life in a most unusual way. Her mother, a frisky adventuresome ewe, somehow found her way into the straw mow -- an area above the cattle stalls. The mow was covered with thick layers of straw, hiding the opening used to scoop the straw down into the cattle stalls below. The ewe was not aware of the hidden opening and came crashing down to her death.

The farmer saw it happen, and knowing she was about to lamb, quickly took a sharp knife from his pocket and performed a cesarean birth. With large callused hands, he gently lifted out the tiny long-legged creature. Wiping her clean with fresh straw and tucking her into his jacket, he hurried up to the farmhouse to the lamb's temporary home in the warm kitchen. The feeding of the little orphan became the task of the farmer's four-year-old son. As the lamb, who became known as Millie, greedily tugged at the teat affixed to a pop bottle, the little boy would tell her about the happenings of his day, or his problems (if a four-year-old in a greatly-loved family setting experienced such a situation), and Millie came to know his voice.

As time went by, the baby lamb became a healthy ewe, and whenever the boy stood at the back door of the farmhouse and called, "Millie-e-e", the ewe would come running just as fast as she could up the lane leading to the farmhouse to stand beside the young lad. She might have been grazing at the far edge of the farm. It did not matter. It just seemed as if she were always listening for his voice. Other family members would call, but she never responded to their voices.

Jesus said that His sheep are constantly listening to His voice. The late General Albert Orsborn, of the Salvation Army, in one of his hymns, suggests a further depth and dimension to just "listening": listening with a readiness to serve Him. Remembering that we are His hands and feet in our world, let us be willing to obey His requests with hearts full of love for Him. On the surface, we might consider this plan impossible! Regardless, let us endeavor to be consciously aware of His voice, with the attitude of adventure, the closeness of companionship with our Savior, and the desire to be used in His service.

Dear Lord, Thank You for the example of obedience You showed in Your life. We pray that we would follow Your example and we would listen to Your voice and be obedient to the things You tell us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.