Genesis 22:13
And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
The journey up to the mountain to sacrifice his son must have the hardest that Abraham had undertaken. His instructions were clear – to offer his son as a burnt offering. By faith, when asked by Isaac where the offering lamb was, Abraham responded, “The LORD will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering.” (Genesis 22:8). True to these words, just before he could slaughter his son, God provided a ram caught in the thicket for the burnt offering. What a relief it must have been for Abraham when his son’s life was spared. What joy must have filled this father’s heart. Years later and another Father will go up the mountain with His Son. Only this time, the Son will go through it all. There was no substitute ram for the Son, for He was the substitute lamb. His death was for the rest of mankind. This is attested by John as he captures the discussion between the High Priest and the Chief Priests together with the Pharisees:
But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. (John 11:49-52).
The words of Abraham became a reality. God did provide for Himself a lamb by becoming the lamb. He died the death that I deserved, that you deserved in order that we may have life and have it in abundance. What more can we do other than to totally dedicate our lives to Him?
Reflections
1. Have you fully given your life to Jesus in response to Him giving His life for you?
