During Sunday’s worship services, we started a series of “Shadow Readings” to help us prepare for Jesus’ death and resurrection. If you missed Sunday’s reading or would like to reflect on it further, we are publishing the readings on Friedens’ blog each week.
When Jesus was beginning His ministry, John the Baptist saw Him coming and cried out, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This would have surprised people, but Jesus was not surprised. He understood that His death was central to His mission.
Later in Jesus’ ministry, Matthew 16:21 says, “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Jesus knew that His life must be laid down as a ransom for many.
Today, we extinguish a candle to represent the shadow that was hanging over Jesus’ life as He anticipated His death.
Let’s pray. Jesus, thank you that you are the Lamb of God who was sacrificed in our place. You are worthy of all our praise. As we continue through this morning’s time together, and through the rest of our lives, may we give you the worship you deserve. Amen.