Sharing Christ

The wonder of God’s love and grace is that He takes an unworthy sinner and makes him/her a child of God (Rom 5:8)– that He would become a worm to save a worm from eternal death (Psalm 22:6, Job 25:6)! He takes a vessel that is marred and worthless and makes it into a vessel of honor and glory (1Pet 1:7, 2Tim 2:21). Truly, by the grace of God I am what I am (1Cor 15:10), and I can do all things through Christ who pours His strength into me (Phil 4:13). Without Him, I can do nothing that is worth doing (John 15:5). I cannot glory in self, but I am glorified in Christ (1Cor 3:21, John 17:22). Without Christ, and without love, I am nothing and have nothing (1Cor 13, 1Cor 4:7). But in Christ, I am a child of the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth (1John 3:1, Gen 14:19) and the bride of the eternal King (Rev. 19:16, 21:9). “Christ is all, and in all” (Col. 3:11). It does not matter who I am, for God chooses the weak and lowly. All that matters is whose I am.

There is no place in the Scriptures like the place called Calvary. It is the pivotal place of history. There the Son of God offered the ultimate sacrifice to God for the sin of mankind.

It would seem likely to me that there are at least three happenings in the Old Testament that took place in very close proximity to Calvary, if not at the very same place. What happened on these occasions gives us foreshadowings of Calvary.

In Genesis 22, we are told of Abraham and Isaac and the place where a SON was given.

In 1 Chronicles 21, we learn of the threshing-floor of Ornan where SIN was atoned for.

In 2 Chronicles 7, we learn of Solomon’s temple being constructed, likely on the place where the threshing-floor once stood (1Chron 22). The temple was to be a SANCTUARY for God to dwell in.

I leave you with my notes on the subject, to meditate upon for your own enjoyment.

Gen 22:9-14

• A SON given – place of consecration (surrender)

1Chron 21:5, 8-14, 18-30;

• SIN atoned for – place of cleansing

1Chron 22:1-5; 2Chron 7:1,11

• SANCTUARY established – place of connection

Luke 23:33 – place of consummation

• SON: “only begotten Son” John 3:16

• SIN: “one sacrifice for sins” Heb 10:12

• SANCTUARY: “a new and living way” Heb 10:20

Note similar ideas that are brought out in these events at this pivotal place:

• Knife / sword (exception: temple, apart from implicitly in the sacrifices)
• Fire (2x from heaven)
• Blessing resulting
• Plan beforehand
  • Pointed out before (Gen 22:9)
  • Purchase before atonement could be made (1Chron 2:25)
  • Promise (to David) of temple (1Chron 22:10); preparations made by David (1Chron 22:5)
  • Prophecy fulfilled (John 19:28)

• All / Only
  • Only son Isaac (Gen 22:16)
  • “I give it all” (1Chron 21:23)
  • Solomon completed all that God put in his heart (2Chron 7:11)
  • “All things were accomplished… It is finished” (John 19:28-30)

1Co 15:51-54 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Time limitations removed: this mortal must put on immortality. We presently have a body that is subject to death. In that day we will have an immortal body.

Space limitations removed: the dead shall be raised. We presently have a body that is subject to earth. In that day we will have a heavenly body.

Matter limitations removed: this corruptible must put on incorruption. We presently have a body that is subject to decay. In that day we will have an incorruptible body.

What a day the rapture will be!

The Lord Jesus was:

Ready to Serve, though having ALL authority. John 13:3-4 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

Ready to Surrender, though knowing ALL that He would have to endure. John 18:4  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

Ready to Sacrifice Himself fully until He knew that ALL was accomplished, though He was the Author of life. John 19:28  After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Ready to Send a failing servant though He knew ALL his shortcomings. John 21:17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

The greatest Sovereign took the place of a servant. He is worthy to be served.

The greatest Seeker took the place of the lost. He is worthy to be sought.

The greatest Savior took the place of the sinner to become the greatest Sacrifice. He is worthy to be praised.

The greatest Shepherd took the place of the sheep. He is worthy to be loved and imitated.