Good Friday Typology and Fulfillment
This wonderful day, leading to a more incredible miracle, is a day filled with Jesus fulfilling prophecy, but I find even more incredible are the things not necessarily directly mentioned but discovered like a treasure within the whole of the Bible.
If you read your bible, looking for connections, you may find some in the person of Christ, I say this with a hint of sarcasm because the whole of Scripture is the Father giving us the Son as a means back to the Father.
In the narrative of Genesis 4, Abel's presentation of his lamb emerges as a prefiguration of Jesus Christ's sacrificial act millennia later. God's acceptance of Abel's offering of the "firstborn of his flock," juxtaposed with His rejection of Cain's offering, signifies a divine affirmation of the former's offering. Abel's gesture is characterized by a repentant and faithful disposition, offering the finest produce of his labor, whereas Cain's offering lacks repentance and fails to manifest the essence of his best produce. The mention of the "firstborn" lamb potentially alludes to Jesus as the "firstborn of all creation," effecting reconciliation through the shedding of His blood (Colossians 1:15). Abel's offering symbolizes the individualized sacrifice embodied in Jesus' sacrificial death, which extends to each person.
The commemoration of the Passover finds its origins in the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, a seminal event marked by the application of sacrificial lamb's blood on their doorposts as recounted in Exodus 12. Upon His earthly arrival, Jesus self-identifies as the Passover lamb, epitomizing the ultimate and definitive expiation for humanity's transgressions. This sacrificial act thus symbolizes the nation's sin being atoned for first through the sacrificial lamb and now through Jesus' once-and-for-all sacrifice. John the Baptist's proclamation in John 1:29 and 35, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" underscores this pivotal transition.
Moreover, the institution of the Last Supper by Jesus signifies His recognition as the ultimate Passover lamb, designated to offer Himself for the redemption of humanity's sins. His words, "This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19), encapsulate this transformative moment.
Additionally, the narrative in Genesis 22 unfolds on Mount Moriah, portraying Abraham's profound obedience in preparing to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac at God's behest: "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you" (Genesis 22:2). This poignant episode serves as a prefiguration of God's ultimate act of sacrifice—giving His only Son to the world for the expiation of sin (John 3:16).
Jesus is the blood on the door post, the perfect sacrificial lamb, and in Him, we have the new covenant Passover, which is His body and His now that perfect lamb, we take of His body and blood now, no longer the old sacrifice but the New and Perfect sacrifice of Jesus. He gave us His baptism, which reflects our dying with Him, the old rituals of purification washing are now found in the Baptism of Jesus Christ which we partake in.
This should excite, light a flame in you, and bring you to a point of awe with how nuanced our Father has been with our divine faith. He doesn’t stop there…
Psalms and Other Types
Within the Psalms and prophetic writings, we discern prefigurations that attain new significance in the light of New Testament events. For instance, Psalm 22 offers a vivid portrayal of Christ's suffering and the specific circumstances surrounding His crucifixion. The Psalmist's poignant cry, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1), foreshadows Christ's own words on the cross. The mention of "dogs" piercing His feet and the casting of lots for His garments are unmistakable references to the crucifixion scene, as corroborated in John 19:24 and Matthew 27:35.
Similarly, Psalm 69 captures the theme of rejection, a sentiment echoed in Jesus' own experiences. The Psalmist's lament, "My throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God. Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; they are mighty who would destroy me" (Psalm 69:3-4), prefigures the rejection Jesus endured. Psalm 60 further amplifies this theme by depicting the mockery Jesus faced on the cross. The Psalmist beseeches God for deliverance from overwhelming afflictions, a plea that resonates with Jesus' suffering.
The prophet Isaiah also contributes significantly to this tapestry of foreshadowing. In Isaiah 53, the prophet's vivid description of a suffering servant, likened to a lamb led to slaughter and silent before His accusers, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. This prophetic depiction underscores the profound connection between Old Testament typology and the fulfillment found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Remember that Jesus quoted Psalms more than any other book.
To be continued!