The power of God's love so
magnificently displayed on the Cross, was first introduced to us in
the Old Testament by the Passover (Pesach; Exodus
11-13), the Day of
Atonement (Yom Kippur;
Leviticus 16) and the Prophet Isaiah.
The
blood of the Passover Lamb, without blemish (Exodus 12:5), was put on
the doorposts of Israel to protect their firstborn from the death
pronounced upon Pharaoh and Egypt. It heralded Israel's deliverance
from the bondage of slavery.
After
they departed from Egypt, God established His covenant with Israel,
setting them apart as His chosen people through which He would reveal
Himself to the rest of the world. “For I am the Lord your God. You
shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I
am holy,” (Leviticus 11:44). God's holy presence among a sinful
people resulted in the sacrificial system. “For the life of the
flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to
make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes
atonement for the soul,” (Leviticus 17:11). Once a year, on the Day
of Atonement, the High Priest entered into Most Holy Place, to make
atonement for the sins of the people and to purify their dwelling.
The
Prophet Isaiah noted that He would be born of a virgin, He would
be 'God with us' (Isaiah 7:14), He would be the sin sacrifice, He
would bring atonement, He would suffer and die (Isaiah 53), and would
be a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 11:10).
This
Easter let us consider what The Cross means.
“For
indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” 1 Corinthians
5:7
“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes
away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
“In Him we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His
grace.” Ephesians 1:7
“24 For Christ has not entered
the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but
into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest
enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26 He
then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the
world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put
away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Hebrews 9:24-26
“For the wages of sin is death, but
the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans
6:23
“For my eyes have seen your
salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32
“19 Therefore, brothers and
sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the
blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through
the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great
priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a
sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having
our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and
having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold
unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is
faithful.” Hebrews 10:19-23
