419. 1CO 5:7. CHRIST TYPIFIED BY THE PASCHAL LAMB

1Co_5:7. Christ Typified By The Paschal Lamb

"Christ our passover is sacrificed for us."’971Co_5:7

The apostle has already shown us, in this passage, the true typical character of the paschal lamb. That sacrifice, and the ceremonial connected with it. seems rich-ly fraught with incidents peculiarly applicable to the person and work of Christ. Doubtless, both the officiating priest and the devout worshipper ever looked beyond the literal passover, to the true Lamb of God, who should take away the sin of the world. The appointment of the paschal lamb was immediately connected with the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, and, throughout, had direct reference to the redemption of the world by the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. Observe,

I. The Victim appointed.

This was a "lamb." Now it was required that this lamb should be’97a male’97a year old’97without blemish. In other words, it was to be one of the most perfect of its species. The best the flock and fold could yield. Herein was typified the innocency, meekness, and excellency of the Son of God.

(1) He was the perfection of our nature. Without frailty, without spot.

(2) He was offered in the vigor of life. When of full age. In the midst of his manhood, he offered himself to God.

(3) In him the innocency and meekness of the lamb were fully exhibited. "He was led as a lamb, &c., Isa_53:7; 1Pe_1:19; Rev_5:6, &c. Consider,

II. The Mode in which it was to be presented to God.

(1) It was to be separated from the flock. Thus Jesus was fore-ordained and set apart by the Father to the great work of redemption. As such the prophets all bare witness of him, and predicted his mission of mercy to our world. "In the fulness of the time," &c.

(2) After the separation, the lamb was to be kept alive four days. Thus Jesus appeared about four thousand years after the promise was first revealed to our first parents. And it was in the fourth year after his public consecration to his work in Jordan that Jesus laid down his life a sacrifice for sin.

(3) The lamb was to be presented to God on the fourteenth of the first month, (March,) at the full of the moon. Thus was Jesus literally offered on the precise day, when the paschal lamb was slain. When the highpriest was about appearing before the Lord, with the blood of the passover, did Jesus expire, when the veil of the temple was rent in twain, &c. How wonderfully exact the type, and the great antitype.

(4) The lamb was to be slain. By the priest; publicly, and in the evening of the day. Thus Jesus was put to death. He, as the priest, offered himself, laid down his own life. Gave himself, publicly, before the thousands of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and that both in the evening of the world, and in the evening of the day, about three o’clock in the afternoon.

(5) The lamb was to be roasted with fire. In the manner in which this was done, was strikingly exhibited the very form of Christ’s death upon the cross. And the fire seemed properly to set forth the extreme severity of Christ’s sufferings, especially those mental and spiritual agonies which he endured when he "made his soul an offering for sin." Observe,

(6) Not a bone of the lamb was to be broken. How very singularly did the providence of God preserve Jesus from having his legs broken, as was common with those crucified, and which took place with both of those who were suspended by his side. See Joh_19:32, Joh_19:33. Such are the chief points of resemblance in the preparation of the paschal lamb and Christ. Notice,

III. The Way in which the Paschal Feast was to be regarded.

1. The flesh of the paschal lamb must be eaten.

Thus showing the necessity of personally participating of Christ’s virtue and merits, Joh_6:54. And there are several things in the original institution deserving of attention.

(1) All the lamb must be eaten. So Jesus, in all his offices and work, must be received. We must have a whole Christ Christ undivided, fully and entirely ours.

(2) It was to be eaten only by the seed of Abraham; the circumcised. So Jesus is only and can only be received by faith. Unless we believe in him, we cannot enjoy the benefits of his death.

(3) It was to be eaten standing, to denote their readiness to leave Egypt, and commence their pilgrimage towards the land of promise. So Christ is only really received by those who are ready to forsake the world, and to take up his cross and follow him.

(4) It was to be eaten with bitter herbs. Faith in Jesus Christ is ever associated with godly sorrow for sin. Repentance an believing are inseparable. "They shall look on him whom they have pierced," &c., Zec_12:10.

(5) It was to be eaten with unleavened bread. And Christ must be received with sincerity of heart. In the exercise of love and truth, with purity of motive and purpose. Without malice or hypocrisy.

(6) The reception of the lamb was as a social feast, and not private or solitary. In this was typified the social character of Christ’s church, and especially the unity of those who surround the table of the Lord, and have fellowship in Christ’s death.

2. The blood of the paschal lamb was to be sprinkled on the door posts of their houses, Exo_12:22.

Thus the blood of Christ must be sprinkled on our consciences, that we may be cleansed from all sin, Heb_10:22; 1Jn_1:7.

3. In the reception of the paschal lamb, they were to commemorate the delivering hand of the Lord. See Exo_12:26, Exo_12:27.

Thus believers, in receiving the symbols of the body and blood of Jesus, are to do it in celebration of the great salvation which Jesus has wrought out for all who obey him. In doing this, they testify their faith and hope in Christ’s death as an atoning sacrifice for guilt, and show forth their love to it, and their trust in it, until he shall come again.

Application

1. The observance of the passover was that which distinguished those who were preserved from the destroying angel. Faith in Jesus, and obedience to him alone, will enable us to receive the saving benefits of his death. He who believeth in Christ will certainly love and obey him, and such only shall be saved. The unbeliever will assuredly perish.

2. To Christ, as the true paschal lamb, all sinners are freely invited. He taketh away the sin of the world. He is the Saviour of all men, but especially of them that believe.

3. In the Lord’s supper, the great doctrines of our ruin and help are prominently set before us. Let that ordinance be highly valued, and seriously and regularly regarded.

4. To celebrate the glories of the Lamb will form a portion of our employment is heaven, forever and ever

Autor: JABEZ BURNS