Only One

Only one could do it. Only one could take upon Him the sins of us all. Only one could bear that weight, that shame. Only one could carry the cross, withstand the crown of thorns, the nail-pierced hands and feet. Only one could die for us. For only one had been born without sin—only one could be a perfect sacrifice.

Jesus. The Messiah. The Lamb of God.

Remember the Passover in Egypt? God told the people of Israel to sacrifice a lamb, and it had to be an unblemished lamb (Exodus 12). They were to put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts and when the death angel came, he would pass over the doors where he saw the blood. Those people were spared.

That was a picture of the greater sacrifice to come. God sent His own Son to be our sacrifice. He came down from heaven and walked this earth with a purpose. John the Baptist knew and proclaimed by the Spirit of God, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Without Jesus, without the shedding of blood, we would pay the penalty for our own sins—eternal death. But Jesus paid the price for us. And when we believe on that name—the name that is above every name—we are saved.

This week we remember that sacrifice. We remember the shame, the agony, the excruciating pain. We remember the price. We remember the blood that only one could shed for forgiveness of sin. We remember our Savior, Jesus.

Jesus, You are the only one who could take away my sin. You’re the only one who could save me. I praise You because You are God, and I thank You for paying the price for me, that I might live. May I live my life fully for You. Amen.