The Lamb of God

People often miss the reality of the manger where Jesus was laid. In ancient Israel, these feeding troughs were constructed from stone rather than the wood we see in modern nativity scenes. Stone was not comfortable, but it provided incredible protection. Priests used these stone mangers to hold newborn, unblemished lambs designated for temple sacrifices. To keep these animals perfect, they were wrapped tightly in cloth and placed inside the stone manger for safety. These sacrificial lambs were raised in Bethlehem. This is the same town where Jesus was born, a place already famous for the spotless lambs offered for the sins of the people. Luke 2 records the specific sign the angels gave to the shepherds: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Those shepherds understood exactly what that meant. The cloth, the manger, and the location all pointed to one truth. This Child was the perfect Lamb of God. He is the Messiah who would give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He was not just a baby in a manger. He was God in the flesh, perfect, sinless, and holy, humbling Himself to become our Redeemer. #MoreJoyMinistries