I have heard this before, but in reading earlier today I was able to verify it as fact. Now, with excitement, I share the “news” with you.

Many a shepherd has lived in Israel through the years. Among them were found some of her most outstanding Prophets and Kings … Amos and David coming to mind.

During the days of the “Second Temple,” when Jesus was physically walking the earth, the innumerable flocks of sheep had to be tended in the “wilderness.” (Shepherds as a class were not held in high regard! They were constantly around their flocks, around birth and death … blood and wounds and sicknesses!)

Those smelly sheep must stay out of town, out of “sight” so to speak. Again, in the “wilderness.” (Don’t worry. There is plenty of green grass there, and still waters too, even if danger potentially lurks behind every tree. Truly “the valley of the shadow of death!”)

But there is one exception to the “wilderness” rule. And it focuses on the area around Bethlehem. The lambs that were destined for the Temple Mount, to be sacrificed on the altar there … were birthed and raised near Jerusalem, of course. Yes, near Bethlehem!

A lamb born there was headed for death! Specifically so! Sacrificially so! In accordance with the Law of Moses!

And I am sure you are by now ahead of me in the lesson … Jesus Christ, the Darling Lamb of God, was born right there, in the area we call Bethlehem! He was born to die! To sacrifice Himself and shed His sinless Blood so we sinners might be saved!

What thousands of little lambs were in type and symbol, Jesus became literally on an old, rugged Cross!

John the Baptist introduced Jesus well … “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

Jesus’ very Life was dedicated to winning the lost … us old sinners … to God! He said so Himself … “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Are you saved?

Do you know this wonderful Man, the Son of God, the Saviour?

If not, you can change that right now!

Again, let’s listen as Jesus tells us how … “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

Paul explains as well … “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

One man prayed this, certainly from his heart, and God saved him … “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:13

Jesus, not a lamb … but THE LAMB!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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