READING: Nehemiah 7-9, Psalm 140, Revelation 7
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” – that’s the word from John the Baptist to his disciples in John 1:29. The image surely reminded them of God’s plan to offer forgiveness through the shed blood of an unblemished animal. It’s quite likely they recalled the Passover lamb that was so pivotal to Hebrew history. All those pictures pointed to the Lamb Christ who would save His people from their sin.
In today’s New Testament reading, it’s again the blood of the Lamb that washes white the robes of the faithful. But, the image changes as John describes the picture of heaven. There, the people will no longer hunger or thirst. There, they will be sheltered under the care of God. There, God will wipe away all their tears. There—and here is where the image changes a bit—the Lamb of God will be their shepherd. The One who redeems them through His atoning sacrifice is also the One who will pastorally lead them to “springs of the waters of life” (Rev 7:17); that is, in this case, the Lamb does the leading. It is indeed true that “Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1).
PRAYER: “Thank You, Jesus, for being both the Lamb and the Shepherd.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Weekend is for catch-up and review
MONDAY’S READING: Nehemiah 10-13, Revelation 8