Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Shalom,
Behold The Son – Romans, part 32
Romans 3:25 God set forth Yeshua as an atonement, through faith in His blood, to show His righteousness in passing over sins already committed.
Oh my! This is so dense with meaning. One could write a book on this verse alone. Let’s break it into three parts, atonement, blood, and pass over. Sounds like it might be connected to a holiday we’re about to celebrate.
First, Yeshua is appointed by God as our atonement. Is this something new? In ancient Egypt the Hebrews were instructed to sacrifice a lamb as an atonement. We retell this story every year as we begin the Passover holiday.
Exodus 12:3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month, each man is to take a lamb for his family one lamb for the household…. 6 You must watch over it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to slaughter it at twilight.
Is there any wonder John the Baptist knew about this when he prophetically proclaimed…. John 1:29 The next day, John sees Yeshua coming to him and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” The sin of Adam required atonement (at-one-ment, meaning to be made “at one” with God). How could any one thing (or anyone) other than the Son of God qualify for such an assignment.
Rabbi Trail: All have sinned (as we studied yesterday). How can we fix a sin problem with a sinful sacrifice? The “sin” problem cannot be fixed with more sin. Is this promised in the Torah? You bet… as God spoke to the serpent, He spoke of a head crushing experience that would end the animosity. Genesis 3:15 I will put animosity between you and the woman— between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel. Yeshua’s sacrifice on the cross crushed the head of the adversary. End RT.
Secondly, we must have faith in the power of Yeshua’s blood to atone for our sins. 1 Peter 1:18a You know that you were redeemed 19… with precious blood like that of a lamb without defect or spot, the blood of Messiah. And that’s not all… Revelation 12:11 They overcame him (the accuser) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even in the face of death. Because Yeshua rose from the grave, we no longer have to fear death. Romans 6:23 For sin’s payment is death, but God’s gracious gift is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.
And finally, Passover (being passed over) by the angel of death. It happened in ancient Egypt to the Hebrews, who were safe behind the cross of blood (one the doorposts, lintel, and basin), and it’s still happening to us, who believe in the greater reality of Yeshua HaMashiach. 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made the One who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
God “set forth” His Son so that we can behold Him. He takes our place. We will live with Him for eternity because of His righteousness. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 22-Feb-2023 1st of Adar, 5783 Rosh Chodesh Adar (Day 2)
Ex 26:15-30, Nu 28:11-15 2 Ki 18 Ps 143 Jn 15 (Phm)