Isaac and Jesus: sacrifice

Genesis 22: 8 nd Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

An immense task for Abraham. Isaac his son, he had to sacrifice to God. Together they went on their way, and Abraham has all this time been silent about it to his son.Isaac absolutely did not know he would be sacrificed and that his father had instructions to sacrifice Isaac and use it as a burnt offering. They come close to Mount Moriah, they let the servants behind and together they go on. And then comes the question of Isaac: Father, what are we going to sacrifice? And Abraham answers in faith that God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering.

Isaac might have smelled a rat, but as we read on, we still see that he is on the altar. How is it possible? Isaac let himself lay on the altar by Abraham and we read nothing about a fight. He has accepted his fate and let his father take its course.In obedience to his father, but especially to God. Abraham was going to sacrifice his son testifies obedience, but Isaac let himself sacrifice testifies as much obedience to God. How obedient are we to God? Do you ever ask yourself that?

But God gives outcome, because ultimately holds God to Abraham. The Lord Angel calls him a halt. You do not have to do this, Abraham, Isaac, need not be sacrificed. Your son will live, because I have a plan with your seed. Isaac must live, because another sacrifice must be done and will be in you posterity emerge and that Posterity will all nations be a blessing. And so they receive a ram from God which was sacrificed in place of Isaac. Fortunately, because you don't sacrifice your own son, don't you?

This did not have to happen with Isaac, had to do with Jesus. The sacrifice of His life had to be accommodated. Abraham did not have to sacrifice, but God did sacrificed His Son. Jesus gave Himself as sacrifice in obedience. That was definitely not easy, we see history as He speaks with His Father in Gethsemane. He feels the deep fear of sacrifice, so much so that Jesus sweat blood. But he bears the punishment and mercy brings so forth for all nations. The promise of Genesis 22:18 is fulfilled here.

That's where we are permitted to think in Advent. Jesus came down from heaven to make that sacrifice. The Father sent His Son not in a palace but in a stable. Not in a four poster bed, but in a manger. And he eventually had to surrender His Son into the hands of death. The cup was completely empty, the punishment was carried into hell. That is God's love which we can draw from.

A grateful Advent, the coming weeks may be for us. A look to the celebration of Christmas, that the light came into the world. But over the celebration of the Light wins over the darkness and eventually look at life with the Light! If we so live Advent and living towards Christmas, the Spirit will fill us and we will be blessed.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice! Thank you for the perfect sacrifice that you have brought. Without your sacrifice, life was meaningless, but now we drove through the sacrifice to live. For you have given life. Your Name be praised forever!