Talk Tuesday-The Old Testament and The Cross; HAPPY EASTER!!!

The power of God's love so magnificently displayed on the Cross, was first introduced to us in the Old Testament by the Passover (Pesach; Exodus 11-13), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur; Leviticus 16) and the Prophet Isaiah.

The blood of the Passover Lamb, without blemish (Exodus 12:5), was put on the doorposts of Israel to protect their firstborn from the death pronounced upon Pharaoh and Egypt. It heralded Israel's deliverance from the bondage of slavery.

After they departed from Egypt, God established His covenant with Israel, setting them apart as His chosen people through which He would reveal Himself to the rest of the world. “For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy,” (Leviticus 11:44). God's holy presence among a sinful people resulted in the sacrificial system. “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 for the soul,” (Leviticus 17:11). Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest entered into Most Holy Place, to make atonement for the sins of the people and to purify their dwelling.

The Prophet Isaiah noted that He would be born of a virgin, He would be 'God with us' (Isaiah 7:14), He would be the sin sacrifice, He would bring atonement, He would suffer and die (Isaiah 53), and would be a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 11:10).

This Easter let us consider what The Cross means.

“For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” 1 Corinthians 5:7

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7

“24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Hebrews 9:24-26

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32

“19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:19-23