Daniel 9:25-26a
“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself.”
The portion of today’s Scripture that I have underlined (Messiah shall be cut off) is worthy of careful consideration. It is easy to read through a passage of God’s Word without pausing to understand what is meant. This was the day in the Passover when the lamb for the sacrifice was to be “cut off” from the rest of the flock.
I can recall attending rodeos where there was an event that featured sheep dogs. Upon a command the dog was to “cut off” a specific sheep from a flock of sheep and herd it into a pen.
Jesus knew His time had come in accordance with prophecy. Just as the people “cut off” the Passover Lamb to be examined before the Seder Dinner (His Last Supper), so Jesus was cut off to be examined and found faultless. He was the perfect Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world.
After a week of vicious attacks by the religious rulers, they brought their false charges to Pilate. He listened to their charges and knew they were bogus. In spite of the lack of justification to condemn Jesus, Pilate gave in to them, but washed his hands condemning a “just” man. In other words, Jesus was found to be the faultless and perfect Lamb of God.
How does this affect us? It is glowing evidence of the sinless nature of Jesus. Every other man, woman and child was tainted by the sin-stained blood of Adam. Jesus was sinless in every way. He was the only One who could pay the price to set us free from Satan’s control. By His blood we can be set free from the death sentence of sin. Praise the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil