On Good Friday , the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ will be observed with much somberness, self examination by many Christians across the world. The physical pain, torture and agony described and shown in the movie " Passion of th Christ" captures this well. Many know that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of mankind, around 2000 years ago.
While reading Leviticus 16, it occurred to me that the sequence of events starting from Pilate's action of asking the gathered crowd, who should be released - Jesus or Barabbas ? was something like the a practice instituted amongst the Israelites by God Himsel? Turn to Leviticus 16: 8
8 He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat. [a]
Aaron the Chief Priest was to take 2 goats, cast lots to choose one for the Lord and the other as a scapegoat. The goat chosen for the Lord was sacrificed as a sin offering to the Lord, for the sins of the people. The goat chosen as the scapegoat or for Azazel, was led to the wilderness, after laying all the sins of the nation.
The scriptures record as well as the witness of the apostles provide us clear understanding of the crucifixion of Jesus, as a sacrifice - a sin offering - for the sins of all mankind. There is also a striking similarity or maybe was the intention of God's way being fulfilled, that the blood of the sacrificed goat be sprinkled seven times on the altar - Jesus spoke seven words on the cross as his blood poured out from his wounds.
Why am I saying all this ? Sometimes we become so familiar with the the gospel presentation of Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, it helps in realizing and trying to understand the laws of God. Yes the sacrificial system instituted by God in the old testament seems to be so bloody and out of place with our present day thinking and culture, that we miss the bigger picture. I am trying to understand the bigger picture, so that I realize my part in the crucifixion of Jesus.
Coming to the scapegoat of Leviticus 16, who is this. Initially I thought this may be Barabbas, and then I read about the way that this scapegoat that was led into the wilderness was actually thrown from the top of a precipice so that it never returns back into Israel. Judas came into my mind, was he the scapegoat ? How does this tie back ?
What do you think? Let me know, you can post your comments...........
I need to say that this is what I believe - I believe in the risen Jesus, who sacrificed himself for my sins, and has provided me the only way for me to get back to the Creator. Through Jesus I have everything, eternal life, His strength to stand up and have victory in life. It is good to recall His sacrifice, to reflect on our self, but Jesus is not on the cross any more, He is risen, victorious and is coming anytime. Are you ready to receive Him?
3 comments:
As Per the KJV of the Bible,it is written that the slain goat was a type of Christ dying for our sins; the scape-goat a type of Christ rising again for our justification. The atonement is said to be completed by putting the sins of Israel upon the head of the goat, which was sent away into a wilderness, a land not inhabited; and the sending away of the goat represented the free and full remission of their sins. He shall bear upon him all their iniquities. Thus Christ, the Lamb of God, takes away the sin of the world, by taking it upon himself, Joh 1:29.The entrance into heaven, which Christ made for us, was typified by the high priest's entrance into the most holy place. In Heb 9:7. The high priest was to come out again; but our Lord Jesus ever lives, making intercession, and always appears in the presence of God for us. Here are the two great gospel duties of faith and repentance.Here are typified the two great gospel duties of faith and repentance. By faith we put our hands upon the head of the
offering relying on Christ as the Lord our Righteousness.By repentance we afflict our souls; inwardly sorrowing for sin, and living a life of self-denial, assuring ourselves, that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
"wilderness" and "land not inhabited" represents the hell or being under the wrath of God, in other words "cut off out of the land of living". These verses help us to understand the agony Christ went through for our sins.
Isa 53:8,
...for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Psa 88:1-8:
... my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.
Isaiah 53:
• He Had Done No Violence
• Neither was Any Deceit in His Mouth
• Thou Shalt Make His Soul an Offering for Sin
• He Shall See His Seed
• The Pleasure of the LORD Shall Prosper in His Hand
because the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of Us all, Christ enduring hell is described as:
• He Hath No Form…
• No Comeliness…
• No Beauty…
• Despised…
• Rejected of Men…
• A Man of Sorrows…
• Acquainted with Grief…
• Stricken…
• Smitten of God…
• Afflicted
• Wounded…
• Bruised…
• Oppressed
• He Opened Not His Mouth
• He was Taken from Prison
• He was Cut Off
• He Made His Grave with the Wicked and with the Rich in His Death
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