Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

There's an old story about a little girl who lived with her family in a lonely ranch out west.  The daughter had a pet lamb.  Wherever the girl went, the lamb went.  No, her name wasn't Mary, but she sure loved her lamb - and it seemed the little lamb loved her.

One winter night, as the family made the ten mile drive home from church in their horse and wagon, a blizzard came up.  They lost their way and had to wait out the storm.  All night long it snowed.  When the snow quit, the family started out for home.  It was slow going but the horses speeded up when they heard a shocking sound.  Wolf-howls!  A pack of wolves were on their trail.

To lighten the weight and go faster, Father threw off the open wagon everything that wasn't necessary.  Still the wolves drew closer.  When it looked like they would soon snap at the horses' legs and bring them down, Muriel (that was the girl's name) cried out, 'What will happen to us, Daddy?'

'I won't let anything happen to you, precious one,' Father replied.  'If the horses go down, I'll tip the wagon so you and mother can shelter underneath.  And I'll fight off the wolves, if I can.'

'Daddy?' Muriel's eyes filled with tears.  'If I threw my lamb to the wolves, would that be enough for them?'

'It would slow them down and give us a chance,' Father said grimly. 'It could save our lives.'

Muriel gave her little lamb one last hug and kiss, then threw it out on to the snow.  The pack of wolves circled it - and began fighting over it among themselves.  Soon the wagon was far enough away that the family was safe.

Muriel sacrificed her little lamb - and that saved her Dad and maybe the whole family.  When the minister of Mary's church told the story, he said that Mary's little lamb reminded him of Jesus.  Do you understand why?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, the Lamb of God who died to save us.  Amen.