Jon and I have been watching "The Bible" series on The History Channel. It has been a really good experience this month as we enter into Easter. A visual that has stuck with me is how important a sacrifice was to the Jewish people, and specifically, a lamb.
The Jewish people were told by Moses to take the blood of a young lamb and put it on their door posts so that the angel of death would passover their home. This would be the final straw that would make Pharaoh finally release them from slavery and leave Egypt. From that time forward, the Jewish people celebrated Passover and told the story of how God delivered them to the next generation.
The Old Testament contains prophecies concerning the coming of the Jewish Messiah. Isaiah 53:10 tells of a "guilt offering." The prophets Jeremiah (11:19) and Isaiah (53:7) foretell the coming of Christ who would be brought "like a lamb led to the slaughter" and whose sacrifice would provide redemption of Israel.
Easter is all about the pure sacrifice that was made for all of our sins. The Jewish people were waiting for a political redeemer, but Jesus came to redeem us all from the the bondage of sin and death. We know that none of us our righteous enough to stand in the presence of God. The only way we can be reconciled to Him is by Jesus paying our penalty.
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God." 1 Peter 1:18-21
It is sobering this week to think about the weight of the world that was on Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. He willing gave of himself over 2,000 years ago for me. It is painful to think of the times when I don't act like a very appreciative receiver of such a sacrifice.
Thank you Jesus,
Sandy
