“The next day John saw Jesus
coming toward him and said,
‘Look, the
Lamb of God, who
takes away the sin of the world!’”
John 1:29
On the yard of a little church in small town in Germany stands
a statue of a lamb. At the base of the statue is a simple inscription that
reads: MEMORIAL TO THE CRUSHED LAMB.
You see, after World War II, a
group of men began working on the tall roof of the church to repair damages
sustained during the fierce battles that took place nearby. One of the
dedicated workmen lost his footing, tripped and fell off the roof, plummeting
to the earth below.
Quickly, the other men race down
the long latter with very little hope of finding their friend alive. As they
descended they began shouting to the other nearby people of the village to come
and help. Though deep in their hearts, the knew there was little that could be
done. It was a terribly long fall and only a miracle could save the man from
being killed on the hard ground
Finally reaching the ground, the
men found their companion moaning and in pain, but very much alive!
Then they realized the man was
lying on top of something, as though he had fallen onto a strange cushion. When
they lifted the man to his feet, they understood immediately what had occurred.
A lamb had been feeding on the grass at the wall of the church. The poor little
lamb had broken the man’s fall and saved his life, but lost its own in the
process.
He was so grateful that he had the
statue of a lamb erected in the very place where he fell.
Take a moment and
think about this little lamb. How something so gentle and kind was sacrificed
to save the man’s life. Isn’t it strange how we feel such compassion for soft,
furry animals? Just picture the tiny creature lying peacefully on the
grass, his eyes closed for the last time.
If your heart is touched by this
story and the image of the crushed lamb, are you not also touched by the
image Jesus being lowered from the
Cross? Does you heart not ache in the same way? Are you not grateful for the
miraculous way in which His death saved your fall?
You may not be able to erect a
statue in honor of the sacrifice He made for you, but isn’t it time to build a
place of honor in your heart?
The next time you take communion, remember the Crushed Lamb and where you might be had He not broken
your fall. Remember, you are in the presence of Jesus, the One who saved you.
And if we can feel such loving compassion for the little lamb at the church,
then certainly our hearts can be filled with love for the Lamb of God.
This week’s prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the Cross. Without your sacrifice
I would be falling to my death right now. Because of your love I have nothing
to fear, not even death itself. Please remind me of your love every day of my
life. Let me never forget what you have done for me. Guide me and strengthen me
so that I may also be a living sacrifice whenever and wherever you may need me.
Amen.
