Behold the Lamb of God
“Unto Adam and his wife did the Lord God make coats of skin, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).
In this article we’ll take a look at the sacrificial system from its beginning, when it was instituted by the Lord, to its fulfillment in Christ.
Adam and Eve sinned against the Lord and hid themselves from the Lord’s presence. Having sinned, “the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.” They covered themselves with fig leaves to cover their nakedness. In our introductory verse, the Lord is showing Adam and Eve that their fig leaves were not an acceptable “covering” for their sin. In covering them with “coats of skin,” the Lord was teaching them that “without the shedding of blood” there was no remission of sin, and that an animal had to give its life that they might be covered . By this, the Lord was showing them, and us, His plan for the redemption of mankind. This points forward to Christ as the sacrificial Lamb. So, Adam and Eve were clothed, or “covered,” not forgiven, by the shedding of blood of an innocent animal. The forgiveness of sin would come with Christ’s sacrificial death at Calvary. A plan the Lord had made before the foundation of the world.
“And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect” (Genesis 4:3-5).
The Lord had shown Cain and Abel’s parents what the Lord required – a blood sacrifice of an innocent animal. Abel realized this and by the sacrifice he offered, he acknowledged his need for a Redeemer. Cain, on the other hand, did not deny that a sacrifice was necessary, but offered up his labor, rebelling against the Lord. These two men represent all those down through history. We either realize our need for a Redeemer and come God’s way, or we go our own way. The latter results with an eternal separation away from the presence of God. So, here we have, in Abel’s sacrifice, a lamb that “covered” the sin of one man, Abel.
“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the Land of Egypt …..(Exodus 12:12).
The Lord instructed the Israelites to place the blood of a lamb on the top and sides of their doorpost because He was bringing a final judgment on Egypt by taking the life of all the first born in the land of Egypt. The Israelites, by each family, placing the blood on their doorposts, would be “covered,” or protected, by the Lord as an Angel, sent by the Lord, passed through Egypt and took the lives of the first born. The Lord said “..and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Notice, it was not because of their own righteousness that they were protected, but because of the blood sacrifice which again pointed forward to Christ. So, here we have the blood of a lamb that “covered” the sin – the sin of a family.
“And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of Atonement… And you shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of Atonement, to make an Atonement for you before the Lord” (Leviticus 23:26, 27a,28).
One day a year, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and offer up incense, and place blood of a sacrificed lamb on the Mercy Seat. This was done to “cover” his sins and the sins of the people for the year. So, we have the blood of an innocent animal offered up to “cover” the sins of the nation.
John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus for the first time, would make the greatest proclamation! John Chapter 1 tells us the following:
“The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).Christ was the Lamb of God, the one all the sacrifices in the Old Testament pointed to, who would not just “cover” the sin of a man. a family, or a nation, but would “take away” the sin of the world. For those who will come to Him, their sins are not just “covered” but they are “taken away,” and fellowship with the Lord is restored. This was the Lord’s plan for man’s restoration and it is “glorious in our sight.”
This week is referred to as Holy Week, and it is certainly that, but we must never lose sight of what it represents. We all were in need of a Savior. We were dead in our sins and unable to help ourselves. The Lord, through Adam and Eve, pointed the way to restoration which is by the Blood of the Lamb. The Lord, in His love for us, made a way to cover our nakedness and opened the door wide to return to Him. We come by faith in the “Lamb’ He has provided. We are saved, having our sins “taken away,” for whosoever will come to the Salvation He has freely given. It’s all about the Sacrifice.
“This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Mark 12:11).
Always Remember,
God Loves You!
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