He came as man to be a sacrifice for all – Pt. 1

Praise the Lord.

John introduced Jesus to Israel as The Lamb of God, referring to the Passover lamb. Jesus spoke of his death and resurrection numerous times.

The fact is, Jesus’ death is found in the Old Testament so those who endorse the Urantia book and other books like it, lie. The whole Old Testament with its sacrifices priesthood and tabernacle spoke of a future fulfillment (Heb.9:8-9).

Heb 10:8-10 previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

In other words he took away the first (explained in Heb.8:13) covenant that was temporary to establish a new covenant that would be eternal.

He did the Fathers will, because he was sent to earth by the Father. So we can “testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.” (I Jn. 4:14)

Jesus prayed just hours before, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matt 26:39)

Phil 2:6-8 Speaking of Jesus “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” This is why we are told “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’ (Heb. 12:2)

The primary reason Christ had to die to redeem us from sin, which means he had to become man.

Leviticus 17:11: 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 by reason of the life.

Hebrews makes the same point:

Heb. 9:18 “not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.” Heb. 9:22: “And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.”

In other words blood that came from an animal’s death was necessary in the first covenant and blood resulting in death was necessary for the new covenant. The Old Testament principle was that the blood made atonement for the soul. The New Testament gives the same message —All things are cleansed with blood. In the Old Covenant it covered sin, in the New Covenant it forgives sin completely removing the penalty for it.

There are two key passages the Old Testament predicts the death of Jesus. Ps.22 and Isa.53. The sacrifice and resurrection of the Messiah are throughout the Old Testament.  Psalm 22, written by King David nearly 1,000 years before Christ, gives us a picture of our Lord hanging on the cross.

Psalm 22:1-21, which described a crucifixion in detail (stoning was the Jewish mode of execution, not crucifixion). Crucifixion was of the Romans.

It describes how the people mocked Christ (Psalm 22:7-8; Mat 27:41-43), how they cast lots to divide up his clothes (Psalm 22:18; Mt 27:35), how his bones were out of joint (Psalm 22:14), how the wicked had surrounded him and pierced his hands and feet (Psalm 22:16) scars which Thomas insisted he must touch to believe (John 20:27).

Till next week,

God Bless.

Rev. Dr. Robert L. Harrison, PhD