January 19 2020 First Lamb

January 19 2020 *John 1.29-42, Isaiah 49.1-7 “First Lamb” Pastor Jacqueline Hines

For the last several Confirmation classes, I have taken the youth and all their young siblings to Chris’s farm to have a close look at his sheep. One year Chris invited the class to take one of the little lambs home for a few weeks. Chris was so concerned about this particular lamb that needed some extra tender loving care. He was behaving like a good shepherd.

Visiting the sheep was always a special time. The lambs always evoked “oohs” and “aahs” from the children as well as the adults because the lambs were so cute, [slide #  1  two lambs with a sheep] so adorable, so soft, so cuddly, so innocent, so pure in heart, so gentle, so meek, so mild, so curious, so animated, [slide #   2  lamb speaking] , so playful [slide #   3  lamb skipping] so warm, so cuddly, so relational [slide #  4  lamb with cat], so sincere.

A lamb evokes peace of mind because a lamb is no threat, no threat at all. A lamb can bring out the gentlest, kindest, humblest parts of us; or it can bring out the beast in us, if we harbor the heart of a bully.

So John’s disciples had a choice to respond one way or another when Jesus arrived in verse 29 : “Look, here comes the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” The recognition was repeated in verse 36, ‘Look, there’s Jesus, the lamb of God.’ Saying it twice is what children did while looking over the fence at Chris Siegel’s lambs. Look, there is a lamb. Look! Look! Look! Can you see what I see? They looked again and again. They kept on looking and watching with great delight, oohing and aahing until their heart’s content.

John’s disciples were amazed to see Jesus, God’s lamb, God’s firstborn one who would take away the sin of the world. Who cares about sin? Do you care about sin? What sin matters most to us? What sin irks us when we watch the news? When we watch our neighbors? When we look at our family? When we pause for a moment of silent prayer asking God to forgive US, begging God to reveal to us what we are doing or saying that offends God or a sister or brother? What sin matters the most to us? What sin matters the least?

John’s disciples were amazed to see Jesus, God’s lamb, who would take away the sins of the world. They could not take their eyes off of him. Two of them followed him until Jesus turned around and invited them to come and see where he was staying. And verse 39 says that they spent the day with him. [slide #  5   they remained…]

They stayed with Jesus for the day. As disciples, we have stayed with Jesus for a morning retreat, for a service of worship, for a day of mission.

When we stay with Jesus we grow to understand the answer to that 90’s slogan WWJD – what would Jesus do? [slide #   6  WWJD bracelet] The slogan originated from an 1897 novel written by evangelical Christian Charles Sheldon called “In His Steps.”  The entire title is “In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?” The novel told of a preacher who challenged congregants not to do anything until they asked themselves the question, “What would Jesus do?” The book sold 50 million copies. It was one of the best-selling books of all times, especially since the price was real cheap because of copyright glitches. Some Christians have more financial business smarts than others.

A few years ago one of the Maryland Youth Rally’s emphasized that question, what would Jesus do. Young people and adults would say during Bethel announcements and testimonies – What would Jesus do? It was a refreshing throwback to the nineties.

It is good to stay with Jesus long enough to have some idea of what Jesus would do. It is also good to DWJTYTD – [slide #  7  DWJTYTD]  - do what Jesus tells you to do -  DWJTYTD.

As Christians we want to think very carefully about our religious beliefs and behaviors. Our standards are high for a reason. Shallow thinking and shallow loving keep good company.

There is nothing shallow about Jesus being the Lamb of God, the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sin of the world. The idea of animal sacrifice and the symbols of our sin and our guilt being taken from us is thousands of years old. We may not always understand these ideas as deeply as the first church understood them. The Last Supper [slide #  8   last supper] was a vivid and powerful experience for the disciples. For us, it is a precious memory that we breathe life into every time we unite as one, loving one another and enjoying one another.

The Ancient cultural rituals remain fresh and meaningful when we stay with Jesus long enough to get to know what Jesus would do and when we do what Jesus tells us to do.

Then a light bulb goes off in our minds [slide  #  9  lightbulb] and we realize we fall short of the glory of God, we run to the altar, weeping and confessing to our Merciful God, that we have not loved God with our whole heart.

We have failed to be an obedient church.

We have not done God’s will,

we have broken God’s law,

we have rebelled against God’s love,

we have not loved our neighbors,

and we have not heard the cry of the needy.

Forgive us and free us for joyful obedience….through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Lamb of God that takes away our sin.

The sacrificial lamb came bringing the Words of life. [slide #   10  sacrificial lamb] The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Everyone did not want those words, but the Word came anyway. Some tried, as they try even in this day, to kill the Word, but God’s word cannot die. Scripture tells us that some are always learning and never arriving at the truth of God’s word. Still, God’s word is an everlasting word.

If you have ever given blood you know that blood regenerates in the body. Within 48 hours [ slide #   11     hours 48] the blood plasma returns to carry nutrients through our system. Within 4-8 weeks our red blood cells are back to normal and we have our 12 pints of blood – about a gallon, gallon and a half - flowing again. [slide #   12  gallon jug]

Culturally, most of us are removed from the daily reminder of blood. When we see blood, we expect that it represents bad news. We may be repulsed. On the other hand, those who run blood mobiles, doctors, nurses, lab workers like Tina and ENT’s like Cheryl’s son, all understand and are grateful that there is life in blood. They know that those who have sacrificed their blood are a blessing to many. They know that new life is generating and regenerating and revives and resurrects the lives of many who are dying.

Sin leaves us destitute and dying, but we are saved by the blood of the lamb, Jesus. We expect good news to be revealed to us as the Word cleanses and heals, because we are washed – inundated by the very thought of such love and sacrifice for us. The seven and even more deadly sins are draining our life, but God…makes us whole.

So that ancient prayer becomes meaningful - Have mercy on us, Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, Lamb of God, who takes away my, grant me your peace.

Last week I mentioned that the kin-dom of God, is our Christian governing authority that rules bringing right living, strengthening joy and powerful peace. Under the reign of Christ, we are promised life, and not just life, but abundant life.

The reason we pray is to be better citizens of the kingdom of God with its wonderful benefits.  I want to close this sermon with a question. What are reasons not to pray? I am looking for at least two answers. Don’t pray if ______________! (Congregation participation) Amen. [Slide # 13  worthy is the lamb]