As Jesus came to fulfill the Festival of Tabernacles, an elaborate schedule of sacrifices was simplified. The cross was the pivot point between the old and new covenants. An Elaborate Sacrifice Schedule The Festival of Tabernacles was an eight-day celebration. God gave an elaborate schedule of sacrifices for this Festival in Numbers 29. There, in …
The old sacrificial system acted just like a credit card. When we charge a purchase, the credit card company covers the price until we pay the full bill. The Old Testament sacrificial system was temporary until Jesus came and gave us a permanent solution. The Sacrificial System was Only Temporary Paul explained why Jesus’ New …
God had given instructions for the Day of Atonement sacrifices. There were to be two goats considered as one offering. The priests would choose by lot, one goat as a blood sacrifice. The other, the scapegoat, would symbolize the people’s sins being taken away. Instructions for the Goats The High Priest was to choose two …
When God gave instructions for the Day of Atonement, He specified how the High Priest was to access the Most Holy Place. These rules apply to both the Tabernacle and then the Temple. The writer of Hebrews provides a clear explanation. Hebrews 9:1That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a …
Today, if we search the internet for “a perfect lamb,” we can find many recipes for the perfect leg of lamb. There are 3 easy steps to the perfect lamb roast, or 5 dos and don’ts for the perfect lamb chops. While these recipes are probably good, when we speak of a perfect lamb in …
The “I am” statements created a controversial identity of Jesus. The Jewish scholars were well aware of the name that God had given Moses. Exodus 3: 14 God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.[1] To this point, Jesus had said: …
Jesus tells us about the sacrifice of the good shepherd. John 10:11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.[1] Jesus’ audience was well aware that the life of a shepherd could be dangerous. Large predators, like wolves, love a meal of lamb. The shepherd had to protect his sheep, …
Have you ever thought about how the characteristics of the Good Shepherd have impacted your life? Scripture often calls believers “sheep” because they share many traits. Psalm 100:3Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” [1] Sheep lack a sense of …
Followers of Jewish rabbis were considered to be slaves to their teacher. But with Jesus, we see a friendship forged by sacrifice. The night before Jesus was crucified, He celebrated a Passover meal with His disciples. There, Jesus had washed their feet, warned one of them would betray Him, and that Peter would deny Him. …
God had promised that Abraham would bless all the families on earth (Genesis 12:3). Jesus is the blessing to all nations. The Gospel of Matthew opens with the genealogy of Jesus, which directly connects Jesus to Abraham. Matthew 1:1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and …