“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
While still alive, Jesus spoke to His disciples about Himself, explaining:
“The Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. They will condemn Him to death and will turn Him over to the Gentiles (non-Jews) to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life!” (Matthew 20:18 – 19).
Further He said:
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
And that was the way it happened. To further illustrate this event, let me use an historical event, which can serve as a parable.
Shamuël was a Caucasian prince, living a couple of hundred years ago. His people, living in south-west Russia, were involved in constant warfare with the Turks. Once he, with his army, besieged a Turkish city. As in all her son’s excursions, his mother accompanied him. One night he planned a surprise assault, but the enemy was lying in wait. His secret plans had been betrayed. The battle was lost. Distressed, Shamuël announced that the traitor, when caught, would be punished with 100 lashes of a whip. In great secrecy another attack was planned – but the result was the same. They had been betrayed again. But this time the traitor was caught. It was Shamuël’s mother.
In anguish he withdrew to his tent for three days and nights. What should he do? What would be the right thing to do? Should he spare his mother, all could rightly claim that justice was distorted. Were he to punish her, however, all might say: “Look at that merciless and cruel man! He does not even show compassion and pity for his own mother!” At last he appeared. His men gathered around him curiously. Standing on his horse to be seen by all, he addressed them: “We lost two battles because of treason. We lost many a man as a result of this. There is no excuse for the action of the traitor. The crime was committed, and so punishment shall be meted out according to our law with 100 lashes! Righteousness and justice must be upheld!”
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