John 1:29-30
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'”
I once read of the work of a man who was ministering in Eskimo villages along the Bearing Sea. As he shared the Word of God with them he noted a lack of understanding from time to time.
On one occasion he was sharing the Gospel using the Scripture I have chosen for today. The response from the people was blank and empty. He knew something was missing, so he decided to pray more earnestly about it.
The next day he spoke with one of the elders and asked him why the people acted so confused about this passage. The elder scratched his head and asked, “We do not understand what the word ‘Lamb’ means. Please explain to us.”
Not long after this, the missionary observed the seals calving on the ice. The baby seals were tiny and totally helpless. Their mothers would be gone for long periods seeking food and the babies were totally vulnerable. He knew he had found his answer for the elders.
The next time the people gathered to hear the Word of God, he read John 1:29, but with a difference: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Baby Seal of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'” He explained to the group that Jesus was as innocent as a baby seal. Jesus never used His divine power, but allowed Himself to die so men, women, boys and girls could have their sins taken away and be prepared for heaven.
This man’s creative use of God’s Word reached into a culture of ice and snow to reveal that Jesus died for them. Many of the people repented of their sins and accepted Jesus into their hearts. Praise the Lord for His tender mercy!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil