Wise parents prepare their children to “˜leave the nest”™. Helping a child to mature and grow is time consuming and is a great demand on parents. Parents use many methods of teaching their children. Being a godly example, setting limits (and keeping those limits), explanation of what is expected in their children”™s attitudes, words and actions, stories that give reinforcement to what they are trying to teach their children”¦and this list can be expanded. Children understand examples and “˜pictures”™.

Just like children we need to be prepared by God. He has taught His children by teaching them to depend on Him through circumstances, His word and “˜pictures”™. “˜Pictures”™ help to explain what God means when His words are fulfilled.

Jesus Christ was “˜foretold”™, God gave many prophecies concerning Jesus”™ life. He came to take away the sins of the world according to John 3:16. When Jesus died on the cross, His death had much meaning as the sacrificial Lamb of God. The “˜picture”™ was given by God in the rituals of sacrifices instituted by Moses. The sacrificial lamb is one of the most important “˜pictures”™ which God has given in Exodus, Leviticus and other books of the Old Testament.

God used a lamb to describe what His Son would do (and did do when He died on the cross). The significance of Christ”™s sacrificial death is”¦taking our punishment for the things we do that keep a barrier between us and God.

Where there is no forgiveness ““ there is no Jesus.

Where there is no righteousness ““ there is no Jesus.

Where there is no eternity with God ““ there is no Jesus.

Easter has come and gone”¦all followers of Christ can say with John the Baptist: “˜Look, the Lamb of God!”™

He has taken my sins away!

He has died in my place on the cross!

He has been raised from the dead and lives in heaven today!

He has sent His Holy Spirit Who lives in me!

Praise be to God!