Jesus Is Both Priest and Sacrifice
John declared Jesus to be “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:36).
The lamb sacrifices of the Old Testament were never able to take away sins. “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
… For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Heb 10:1, 4). All the Old Testament animal sacrifices merely pointed to the Real Sacrifice to come, namely, the Messianic Lamb of God—the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The Old Testament saints were saved not by the blood of the many lambs they had sacrificed, but by the blood of thegold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet 1:18-19).
The twofold perfect obedience of Christ, namely His active and passive obedience, is also seen in this metaphor of the lamb. The Lord’s passive obedience as a Lamb may be seen in His voluntary sacrifice unto God to appease His wrath against sinners. And His active obedience as the Lamb is seen in His being without spot and blemish, absolutely sinless under the Law’s holy demands.
Upon the arrival of the Messiah,John was ready to retire. He directed his personal disciples to the Lord Himself. Andrew was a disciple of John, but henceforth followed Jesus. Andrew then brought Simon his brother to see the Lord. Even before Andrew could introduce his brother, Jesus already knew his name, and identified him as Simon—Son of Jona. This is one proof of Jesus’ omniscience. The Lord took a special interest in Simon, and gave him a new name—Cephas (Aramaic)— which is Peter (Greek) meaning “a stone.”
Next in line was Philip. Jesus enlisted him as one of His disciples. Philip then found Nathanael and told him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write.” Philip recognised Jesus as the Messiah foretold by Moses and the Prophets (ie, the Old Testament). Jesus is the Moses-like Prophet of Deuteronomy 18:15, and Suffering Saviour of Isaiah 53. Jesus again displayed His omniscience in His conversation with Nathanael. He knew all about Nathanael when He saw him under the fig tree even before Philip called him. This led Nathanael to confess Jesus as the promised Messiah—“the Son of God” (cf Dan 3:25), and “King of Israel” (Isa 44:6).
While all the disciples wondered at the greatness of their Messiah, Jesus told them that they could expect to see greater things from Him: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” There are several episodes in Jesus’ life where we are afforded a glimpse of His glory. On such occasions the heavens opened, and the angels descended to minister unto Him. One such event had already taken place, namely, His baptism and subsequent temptation experience (Matt 3:13-4:11). Others to come would be His transfiguration (Matt 17:1-9), His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46), His resurrection (Matt 28:1-7), and His ascension (Acts 1:1-11).
Gospel & Music Ministry Bears Fruit
Deborah Mae ministering in song
The gospel and music ministry of sisters Deborah Mae and Jenny Kan over at St John’s Home for the Elderly has borne good fruit for the Lord. We rejoice over the salvation of Mr Ng Ah Bah, a resident there. A handful from the Home who had already believed on the Lord come happily to our Chinese Worship Service every Lord’s Day. Mrs Chan Sok Sin conducts Bible study with them at the Home on Fridays.
Jenny Kan praying for the elderly
Here is a report from Deborah and Jenny:
We want to thank and praise our Heavenly Father for His grace, mercy and great love towards the old folks of the St John’s Home for the Elderly. About 35 old folks and members of True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church gathered at the chapel of St John’s Home on Tuesday morning, 14th February 2012 to witness the baptism of Mr Ng Ah Bah, a resident of the Home. Mr Ng Ah Bah, who is 72 years old, was baptised by Pastor Jeffrey Khoo and assisted by Deacon Philip Goh. Mr Ng Ah Bah confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour while he was hospitalised at the St Andrew’s Community Hospital and he joined St John’s home shortly after. He faithfully attends the meetings conducted by Deborah Mae and me on Tuesday morning every week. He is very encouraged by the hymns and the Word of God. Mr Ng greatly desired to be baptised and we thank the Lord for granting him his heart’s desire.
Mr Ng Ah Bah raising his hand to confess faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour
At the baptism service, Dr Khoo preached the gospel message taken from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Brother Ng Yew Chong interpreted the message into Mandarin. We are thankful for those who were there to witness the baptism. We are grateful to Mr Goh, the superintendent of St John’s Home, for suggesting the use of the chapel for the blessed occasion. We pray our God Almighty will sustain His work at the old folk’s home, to save the lost and to comfort His saints. To God be the glory!
Pastor Jeffrey Khoo baptising Mr Ng Ah Bah, and assisted by Dn Philip Goh & Br Ng Yew Chong (interpreter)
Here is Bro Ah Bah’s testimony and request for baptism:
Jesus Christ can save me. Jesus prays for me. I was hospitalised at St Andrew’s Community hospital and heard the gospel. I asked Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Saviour. I asked Jesus to come into my heart to be my Lord and Saviour. I am very happy to believe in Jesus Christ even though I am often sick. I want to be baptised because I want my family and friends to know that I believe in Jesus. I wish to be baptised as soon as possible. I thank Jesus for dying for my sins on the cross and He rose again. (Ng Ah Bah, with thumbprint).
The service concluded with the congregation singing this hymn to encourage our newly baptised brother, “Now I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me—Not for the years of time alone, but for eternity.” We pray the others who had heard the gospel that day would also come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be baptised as well. “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10). JK
