When John the Baptist was baptizing Israelite’s in the Jordan River and saw Jesus coming toward him, “Behold the Lamb of God; this is the one who will lift the sin of the cosmos like an anchor from the sea floor, for humanity to sail free!” (John 1:29) This is the One who was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a feeding trough as a baby, (Luke 2:7).  This is the same thing the Jews and Samaritians would do with the lambs destined to be sacrificed for Passover under the Mosiac Law. 

Every Christmas we celebrate the Birth of Jesus, and at times we forget the significance of what the birth of Christ meant for all of mankind.  Before Jesus, perfect unblemished lambs were used as an offering to God in hopes He would pardon all the mess ups people had during the previous year. The sacrificial lambs, just like Jesus were born in the Tower of the Flock, wrapped in swaddling cloths, placed in a feeding trough, and later examined for their perfection before sacrifice. This time the Son of God was born perfect. Jesus was born as the final sacrifice to end the Old Covenant and usher in the New Covenant for all of man kind. 

“The entire cosmos is the object of God’s affection! And he is not about to abandon his creation -the gift of his son is for humanity to realize their origin in him who mirrors their authentic birth -begotten not of flesh but of the Father! In this persuasion the life of the ages echoes within the individual and announces that the days of regret and sense of lost-ness are over! God has no intention to condemn anyone -he sent his son, not to be the Judge but the Savior of the world.” (John 3:16-17)

This is the good news. Jesus is the perfect Lamb because of God’s unwavering love for all of His creation. The incarnation is the path back into the “Garden of Pleasure.” God wants us back in his Garden, where peace and joy overwhelms fear. God has given himself and wants His creation enjoying life, not working to please Him. 
“Abraham had no other claim to righteousness but simply believing what God declared concerning him! Isaac confirmed God’s faith, not Abraham’s efforts. This is all we have in common with Abraham.” (Galatians 3:6) 

“Righteousness reveals God’s faith as responsible for mankind’s salvation in direct contrast to their doing it themselves by keeping moral laws!” -Francois du Toit taken from commentary on Galatians 3:6 in the Mirror Bible. 

We are all God’s children and have been set free to live life to the fullest, free from guilt, shame, or condemnation. Jesus was placed in a feeding trough to show us how we will be fully satisfied feeding off of Him in all His perfection. Under the Old Covenant or Mosaic Law the lambs that were sacrificed were the main course at the Passover Celebration. 

“You parents-if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”(Mathew 7:9-11) You see Jesus was the best gift we will ever receive. He is the Lamb of God. We are able feed on Him. Jesus also became the wine and the oil. He gave all of the world new wine skin and filled us with His wine. He was the olive that was pressed for us to cleanse and heal all of man. He is the bread of life and the grapes on the branch.

His love for us is the nourishment to our souls. When we sit down at the table and feast on Him we begin to see ourselves the way God has always seen us, as His perfect creation. 

Think about this. Jesus was the olive that was pressed for us. Powerful isn’t it? The first pressing of oil is used for soap. “He gave himself as sacrifice in exchange for our freedom. We are redeemed from every obligation and accusation under the law and declared absolutely innocent. He defines who we are! Our brand name is “I am.” We are exclusively his. We are a passionate people; we excel in doing everything we do beautifully. (Titus 2:14)

The second pressing is used for medicine, “Jesus is the medicine that heals all of our infirmities and sickness.” (Mathew 8:17)  The third pressing of oil is used for oil lamps. “We through Jesus are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hid.” (Mathew 5:14) 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”(Isaiah 9:6) 

Merry Christmas!!! Hallelujah!  God loves you! He isn’t looking to punish you for messing up. He plain out loves you without conditions. Gods love for you is infinite. He is well pleased with you. 

“All flesh is grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God is risen for ever. This word is the exact same message of the glad tidings announced by the prophets and now proclaimed unto you!” (1 Peter 1:24-25)

This Christmas as we look at all we have received let’s rejoice and give thanks. “All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).”(Isaiah 7:14 ) This has come to pass!  We rejoice in this truth-He came, He came Immanuel!  Because of His birth, death and resurrection He will never leave us or forsake us. He came, He came Immanuel!! Let this message be the Christmas cheer that is lifted up. Since God is for us nothing can ever come against us. Thank you Lord for Jesus the perfect Lamb that took away that sin of the world. Thank you that because we are in Him we are removed from sin as far as the east is from the west! Thank you that the first miracle Jesus performed was turning water into wine so we can now celebrate with our Father in the promise land! From this day forward let us walk in the kingdom letting all the world see we are cleansed, healed and bright with your light and Love. You are the Great I Am! The Prince of Peace. Thank you for your wisdom and the mind of Christ let us all walk fully into our identity. We are no longer orphans robbed of our identity, we are now seated in Christ! In the power of Jesus name amen amen amen

Merry Christmas to All, 

Blessings Kurt and Katy Adkins

HE CAME, HE CAME , IMMANUEL and SET THE CAPTIVES FREE.