The Perfect Plan - Miracle of AdventSample

The Need for a Savior was God's Perfect Plan

Levitical Law commanded by God in the Old Testament required animal sacrifice as a temporary offering to cover the sins of man. The animals were required to be pure and spotless, and the blood of the animals would offer atonement for disobedience to God’s commandments. The sacrificial animals were bought, and only the purest were considered holy enough to be placed on the altar in the Temple.

When Jesus was born, He was sent into the world sin-free and without any blemish or spot—as innocent and pure as a white lamb—to be our redeeming Savior. Precious gold and silver would be used to purchase the Old Testament temple sacrifices, but what God gave us through the gift of Jesus Christ could not be purchased with wealth or riches. No human endeavor could ever come close to saving us from death. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus willingly walked the Earth, fully God, and fully man, and unjustly offered up his own sinless life to save us from a justly eternal death.

The need for a Savior became evident the moment that Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden when God promised to “crush the head” of the serpent. Let us be thankful that Jesus temporarily put aside his Heavenly glory to walk alongside sinful man and to purchase our souls so that one day we will make our Heavenly home with Him.

This morning, we light the first candle as a symbol of our Hope. The first candle is purple, the primary color of Advent and the color of royalty. This first candle symbolizes our anticipation of hope in Jesus, the royal King prophesied by Isaiah that would be born of a virgin as the Savior for all people.