04/13/2019
Don’t be afraid to lay your sins on the head of Jesus Christ. They will most certainly cut Him, and scar Him, but His love allows Him to endure this for you. This is the first act of making a sin offering, and was done before the blood of a burnt offering was taken, or the animal was killed and placed on the altar. Jesus likewise took the sins of man upon himself in the form of the crown of thorns. These are the sins of mankind... claim Him as your atonement; lay your hand on His head.
“He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.”
Leviticus 1:4 ESV
We lay our hands on each other for various reasons, but each time we do it is a powerful symbol. We do it when we pray for someone, when we wash their feet, when we comb their hair, when we soothe aching muscles, when we take one another in marriage, and although the list is long, we must always mention that we do this when we assign our sin and guilt to them... just as we do with Jesus.
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.”
Leviticus 17:11 ESV
When each of my children was born the nurses would wipe the blood and water of afterbirth from them, then I would hold them before me in my hands, and almost subconsciously place my hand lovingly on their head and let it slide gently over the crown of their head until I cradled their cheek in my palm. I was not only showing them my love, but giving them my love in the form of a caress... a love that would last their lifetime, and mine. Do you place your hand on the head of Jesus? When you do, what is that touch like for you, and for Him?
“and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head.”
Matthew 27:29-30 ESV
When I touched my children it was to assign my love, but when mankind touches Jesus it is to convey their sin to Him. This sounds cruel, but it has to be done; we must acknowledge that He is taking our sin as part of our redemption. We have to place that crown of thorns on His head before His blood can purify us, and before His flesh becomes an offering for us. This is our bread and our wine each time we take communion... this is our memory of Him every day.
“Then he shall kill the bull before the Lord, and Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting.”
Leviticus 1:5 ESV
The blood and water of Christ fell upon the earth when His side was pierced with the Roman spear. In that moment it was understood, and fulfilled, that He was sacrificed to remove sin and death from not only us, but from the world.
“But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.”
John 19:34 ESV
“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
1 John 2:2 ESV
Easter approaches, and like every year, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, but it all begins by laying our guilt, and our sin, on Him by placing our hand upon His head. We no longer do this in anger or disdain, but in love and adoration because we realize that it is by His willing love we are saved. Then throughout the remaining year we remember Him time and time again as we break bread and take wine... in communion by His blood, and flesh, which is our atonement, and our sacrifice.
So do you place your hand on the head of Jesus, and do you allow Him to take from you your sins, and the death they carry? Do you run your hand from the crown of His head and cup His cheek in your palm as you express your love to Him? Then do you kneel before Him as He offers Himself for you? His life, His suffering, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension... all for us, and for all of eternity.
Prayer:
Father; thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who took the crown of thorns upon His head, by our hand, and allowed Himself to be sacrificed that we might be cleansed by His blood, and our sins redeemed. Thank you Holy Father for your love, mercy, and grace, and for your Son Jesus... the Lamb of God, the Dove of Peace, and our unblemished sacrifice. Help us Father to remember the life that was offered for us; not just during the Easter season, but each day, and minute, of the year. Remind us when we break bread, and drink wine, of the body and blood of your Son that was given for us. When we take the sacrament of communion let nothing overshadow this moment of remembrance; let the wine be sweet, and the bread nourish us. This is your Table, and our redemption... this is the clap of thunder that follows the flash of sin’s lightning... this is the purification of our sin that began so terribly with a thorny crown... the touch of our hand upon the head of your Son. Forgive us Father for we have sinned, forgive us by your grace that flows through your Son Jesus Christ. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who allows us to place our hand upon the Head of Your Son, and for His love that takes our sin away by His innocent blood, and sacrifice. Praised be your name Holy Father, and blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ... whose obedience has become the essence of your grace, and the realization of your power and glory forever.
“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,”
Colossians 1:19-22 ESV
Rich Forbes