OUR DAILY BREAD : LIKE A LAMB

[cimi]

April 2
Good Friday


LIKE A LAMB

READ:
John 15:9-17
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He was led as a lamb
to the slaughter, and
as a sheep before its
shearers is silent, so He
opened not His mouth.
__Isaiah 53:7
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In 1602, Italian artist Caravaggio produced a painting called The Taking of Christ. This work, and early example of the Baroque style, is compelling. Created in dark hues, it allows the viewer to contemplate Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Two main elements of the scene depicted in the painting demand the observer's attention. The first is Judas as he delivers the traitor's kiss. Immediately, however, the viewer's focus is drawn toward Jesus' hands, which are passively clasped together to show that He offered no resistance to this injustice Although He possessed the power to create a universe, Christ gave Himself up voluntarily to His captors and to the waiting cross.

Long before this scene took place, Jesus told His listeners that no one could take His life from Him--He would lay it down willingly (John 10:18). This heart of voluntary surrender was prophesied by Isaiah, who wrote, "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth" (Isa. 53:7).

Christ's lamblike self-sacrifice is a grand indicator of his powerful love. "Greater love has no one than this," He explained, "than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). Think of it. Jesus loved you that much! __Bill Crowder
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``````````````Love sent the Savior to die in my stead.
````````````````````Why should He love me so?
````````````````Meekly to Calvary's cross He was led.
```````````````Why should he love me so? __Harkness
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The nail-pierced hands of jesus
reveal the love-filled heart of God.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ John 15:9-17**************

9 As the Father loved Me, I
also have loved you; abide
in My love. 10 If you keep
My commandments, you
will abide in My love, just
as I have kept My Father's
commandments and abide
in His love.

1 These things I have
spoken to you, that My joy
may remain in you, and that
your joy may be full. 12 This
is My commandment, that
you love one another as I
have loved you. 13 Greater
love has no one than this,
than to lay down one's life
for his friends. 14 You are
My friends if you do
whatever I command you.

15 No longer do I call you
servants, for a servant does
not know what his master is
doing; but I have called you
friends, for all things that I
heard from My Father I
have made known to you

16 You did not choose me,
but I chose you and
appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit,
and that your fruit should
remain, that whatever you
ask the Father in My name
He may give you. 17 These
things I command you, that
you love one another.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

John 15 is at the heart of what is called "The Upper Room
Discourse." This recounts our Lord's final extended teaching time
with His disciples before going to the cross. In this segment (vv.9-
17), He is focusing on the relationships of love between the Father
and the son, between the Son and His people, and between the
Father and His children. Each of these relationships is critical to our
understanding of God and the salvation He has provided in Christ.
__Bill Crowder