What Old Testament sacrifices connect with Jesus being "the Lamb of God"? The Verse That Launches the Discussion “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Why the Old Testament Matters Here Every sacrifice God prescribed was a real historical event that foreshadowed the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. Below are the key offerings that connect most directly with His title “Lamb of God.” The Passover Lamb – Deliverance from Death • Exodus 12:3-13, 46: an unblemished male lamb, slain at twilight, blood applied to doorposts, no bones broken • Connection to Jesus ‑ 1 Corinthians 5:7 “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” ‑ John 19:36 “No bone of Him will be broken,” mirroring Exodus 12:46. ‑ His blood shields believers from God’s judgment just as the lamb’s blood shielded Israel’s firstborn. The Daily Tamid Burnt Offering – Constant Atonement • Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:3-4: two year-old male lambs offered every morning and evening • Connection to Jesus ‑ Continual aroma before God prefigures Christ’s abiding intercession (Hebrews 7:25). ‑ Morning and evening death scenes bracket the hours of the cross (Mark 15:25, 33-37). The Sin Offering Lamb – Personal Substitution • Leviticus 4:32-35: “If someone brings a lamb as his sin offering, he shall lay his hand on the head of the lamb and slaughter it…” (v. 33). • Connection to Jesus ‑ Hands on the head pictured sin transfer; Isaiah 53:6 “the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” ‑ Blood applied to the altar signified forgiveness—fulfilled in Christ’s shed blood (Hebrews 9:22). The Guilt Offering Lamb – Paying the Debt • Leviticus 5:6: “He must bring the LORD a guilt offering: a lamb… as a guilt offering.” • Connection to Jesus ‑ Focuses on restitution; Isaiah 53:10 identifies Messiah as the guilt offering who satisfies divine justice. Festival Lambs – Joyful Fellowship • Numbers 28-29 lists scores of lambs sacrificed at Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. • Connection to Jesus ‑ These feasts celebrate redemption, harvest, and God dwelling with His people—realities secured permanently in Christ (John 1:14; Revelation 21:3). The Substitution on Moriah – “God Will Provide the Lamb” • Genesis 22:7-8, 13: Isaac asks for the lamb; God provides a ram. • Connection to Jesus ‑ Abraham’s prophetic words, “God Himself will provide the lamb,” find literal fulfillment at Calvary on the same mountain range. The Prophetic Picture – The Silent Sufferer • Isaiah 53:7 “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter… yet He did not open His mouth.” • Connection to Jesus ‑ Echoed in Acts 8:32-35 where Philip identifies the “lamb” as Jesus. Bringing It All Together - Every lamb—whether protecting Israel’s firstborn, burning on the altar twice daily, bearing individual guilt, or filling festival tables—points to the single, spotless Lamb who fully removes sin. - John’s declaration in John 1:29 gathers all these threads, revealing that the One standing before him was the substance behind every shadow. |
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