As was explained in previous posts, the death of Jesus is deeply connected with the sacrifices of the Hebrew Scriptures. But, as was pointed out, the sacrifice of Jesus is not compared to the scapegoat sacrifice, but other sacrifices. Let’s look quickly at the two sacrifices Jesus’ death is compared to.
1. The Passover Lamb
There are a lot of passages that compare Jesus’ death to the Passover sacrifice, not least the passages that call Jesus the metaphorical “lamb”—John 1, Revelation 5, for example. The fact that all the gospel writers make an important point that Jesus’ death was in proximity to the Passover celebration (with John saying it happened at the time of the lamb’s butchering, and the other gospels saying it happed the next day, at the Passover meal). It is clear that Jesus’ death is being compared strongly with this sacrifice. Also the fact that Jesus’ blood is emphasized relates strongly to the lamb’s blood that was put on the door as a signal to the angel of death.
What is the Passover sacrifice? It is the opportunity to be released from slavery and oppression. It is the sign that those under the blood are not to be punished as the rest of the empire, which is under the curse of death. And it is that same night that the people of Israel was released from one empire into God’s kingdom.
It is no wonder, then, that Jesus’ sacrifice is compared to this sacrifice and not others. Because Jesus’ death is, more than anything else, the initiation of the Kingdom of God. It is a rejection of the kingdom of this world, and thus the punishment of death that rests upon it all. And it is the desire to be transferred to God’s kingdom. All of this happens through Jesus’ death, the lamb of God. Interestingly enough, in both sacrifices, there is a recognition of the oppression of the rulers and the necessity for them to be deposed.
Thus, the fact that the main sacrifice Jesus’ death is compared to is the Passover sacrifice means that Jesus’ death has more to do with a transfer of kingdoms than a substitutionary atonement, which is never mentioned in the Passover texts.
THE PAASOVER SACRIFICE
ReplyDeleteJesus said two things on the cross: “I thirst,” & “It is finished.”
When Jesus said, “I thirst,” he was given wine. “A bowl of sour wine stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth.” (John 19:29)
After drinking from the fruit of the vine, he said, “It is finished.”
WHAT IS FINISHED?
The Passover sacrifice is finished. Jesus drank from the fourth & final cup of the Passover, the Cup of Consummation, and in His drinking, the Passover is finished.
The lamb has been slain. The sacrifice has been consummated.
Jesus is the Passover lamb. He is the Passover sacrifice. He is the perfect, spotless unblemished, lamb, no bones are broken.
He is the ultimate sacrifice for sin. His blood, the blood of the Lamb of God, is the blood of the New Covenant, reconciling man to God. The gates of heaven are reopened. Eternal life is now available for all!
Undoing the sin of Adam. Jesus willingly suffered & died, laying down his life for his bride, the Church. Adam, fearing death, refused to lay down his life for his bride.
Jesus undid in the Garden of Gethsemane, what Adam did in the Garden of Eden. His blood is the blood of the new covenant. He fulfills the promises of Isaiah’s suffering servant, the servant king messiah.
In the Eucharist we “zecher”, or make present, the Passover sacrifice of Jesus at the Mass. We re-present Jesus as the Sacrifice, this time in an unbloody manner.
The law of Moses prescribed that the Passover lamb must be consumed in its entirety. We, too, at our sacrifice, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, must consume the Lamb.
Jesus, God made man, comes to us body, blood, soul & divinity, in the Eucharist, giving us the grace we need to pick up our cross & follow in Him. Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us!
But what you really don't answer is: "What is the meaning of Passover? And how does Jesus' death fulfill the Passover sacrifice?"
ReplyDeleteThe Passover sacrifice had nothing to do with sin. It had to do with redemption and freedom from slavery. Now, Jesus says that the slavery we are in is the slavery to sin (John 8), so the freedom we are granted is from sin. So is this a re-imagining of what the Passover is all about?
But I also think it is a freedom from religious entities that makes us "sinners" without truly understanding who we are. It is a freedom from a god who accuses and judges rather than the One who is merciful.