The Lamb of God

Nº 331

December 3, 2024

The very purpose of Christ's coming into the world was that he might offer up his life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas. - Billy Graham

Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus begins with a review of Jesus’ family tree tracing the line back to Abraham. He begins, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac...”. (Matthew 1:1-2a)

The first child mentioned in the line is Isaac. This miraculous son was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. He would carry forward God’s promises to Abraham’s descendants.

At one point, God tested Abraham telling him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obeyed God’s command and was willing to kill his son, but God intervened offering a substitute ram, saving Isaac’s life.

The lineage spanning 2,000 years concludes, “...and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” (Matthew 1:16)

The culmination of the line is Jesus.

Father Abraham’s agonizing submission to sacrifice his son foreshadowed the excruciating gift God the Father would someday provide. The baby we celebrate this Christmas is the One who would become the Lamb of God, the substitute sacrifice for our sin. The joy of Christmas is tempered by the trauma of Good Friday yet multiplied by the victory of Easter!

Merry Christmas!

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries