Jesus Came to Save Sinners – January 23, 2020

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29

Jesus Came to Save Sinners

Don’t you hate the devil’s lies? First, he convinces us that sin is the best way to go. He convinces us that pride is better than humility before God. He convinces us that the solution to our worries is food or drugs or alcohol or exercise or sex. He convinces us that the sins we do in secret are no big deal because they don’t hurt anyone.

Then, after we believe his lies, he plays the guilt card. He says, “How could you? God says you should be humble. God says you should bring your worries to him. And God sees the shameful things you do and think in secret. How could you? There’s no way God can forgive you!”

God sent a prophet named John to point out people’s sins. But John didn’t leave his listeners in hopeless shame. Instead, he pointed to Jesus and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the world’s Savior, who takes away the sin of the world. Not just our individual sins and offenses but sin itself. He takes away our sinful condition and the guilt and shame that always come with it. He even takes away the death and damnation that we deserve for our sins. Jesus takes it all away. Jesus says to us, “You are no longer a sinner. I am. The sins that you once carried now rest on me.” Jesus, the Lamb of God, bore your guilt, suffered your shame, died your death, and faced the hell you deserve.

So, when the devil says God can’t forgive you, look at the Lamb of God. The Lamb takes away the sin of the world. If you breathe the world’s air, eat the world’s food, sleep and wake up in the world, then you are part of the world. And if you are part of the world, then Jesus took away your sins, no matter who you are or what you’ve done.

May that truth calm your conscience and move you to serve God daily in peace and joy.

Prayer:
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on me. Amen.