Sep
21
2021
The Inspection Label
Posted in Salvation 4 Comments
I always love one-on-one time with my children.
In fact, for any special occasion, the gift of time is precious to me.
Since we had so many family birthdays, my oldest daughter and I delayed our celebration.
It was actually better because we both looked forward to it with eagerness.
My daughter asked me to pick the restaurant.
We agreed on the date that was best for both of us.
The evening finally came.
I plan to look cute, she texted, but then she always does.
That was code for us both to look not too casual but not too dressy either.
We met at the designated place.
After hugs and taking a picture to mark the occasion, we went into the restaurant.
We had a lovely table and began our evening of talking the hours away.
I have always treasure the time with one of my children across the table from me.
There are no distractions.
There is no one needing either of us for anything.
There is just time to focus on each other.
Salmon is my favorite thing to order.
We shared a large wedge salad.
We had cold ice water in our glasses that were filled more times than I could count.
We skipped dessert.
It was a lovely evening from beginning to end.
The moon was full, lighting our way as we walked.
Memories of those evenings are so special to me.
I try to grab moments with them when I can at coffee shops, cafes, or just a day together.
When I got home and changed into comfy clothes, I felt something stuck to my skin.
I looked and it was a little paper tag.
On the tag, there was a number.
The tag, now stuck to my skin, had moments before been attached to my dress.
It was an inspection tag.
The number represented the person who inspected my dress before it went to the store.
That person gave my dress the seal of approval.
As far as they could determine, the dress passed quality control.
I laughed as I pulled the paper tag off my skin.
I guess I passed inspection, I thought.
It seemed absurd to think that a person would have a quality control label.
The numbers on the tag meant nothing to me but they meant something to someone.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. (John 6:25-39)
When the Jews had to offer their sacrificial lambs, the lambs had to pass inspection.
Any Jew who bought their lambs near the temple paid an exorbitant price.
Those selling the lambs knew that the Jews needed to buy one if they didn’t bring their own.
In essence, the Jews were paying for the correct inspection label.
However, there was one Lamb who was slain.
There is only one Lamb of God.
There is only one sacrifice, which was once and done, with no need to repeat year after year.
On this Lamb, the Father put His seal of approval.
No other lamb could compare.
No other blood could save.
Only the blood of the true Lamb of God could save people from their sins.
Only one can save us.
The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.
To believe in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
To know that the Lamb of God is the only approved Lamb.
The Father says so.
That was a very nice insight, Gina!
I just love it when our God gives us a living picture of His Word, taken from events in our daily life, to expand our understanding of Him, His excellent nature, and His ultimate sacrifice: the perfect Lamb of God. Inspected, accepted, and found worthy to stand in our place and exchange His perfect Life for our sinful, unworthy ones, to take the price of God’s wrath upon Himself for what we deserve. What kind of love is this? A love beyond our comprehension, but a love that will fill our hearts with gratitude for all eternity!
Thank you for this beautiful reminder,
Tish
P.S. If you have a chance, feel free to check out my latest post, “The Tail of Broken Feather”, on my blog post listed below. I’d love to hear your comment, too. Thanks!
Thank you, Tish.
I am anxious to check out your post as well.
Keep writing for Him.
Gina
A wonderful reminder! And I so enjoyed the Bible study last week, too. All God’s richest blessings on you!
Thank you, Sue.
I love when God does uses the smallest things to teach us more about Him.
It was so good to see you last week and study God’s Word together.
Blessings,
Gina