Abraham and Isaac
...ed Abraham for his obedience. Isaac was Abraham’s only son, Jesus was the only begotten son of God. “Then he said, ‘ Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains if which I shall tell you.’” (Genesis 3:2) God knew that Abraham loved his son with all of his heart. The same thing happened in the New Testament. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) This says that Jesus Christ was the one and only son of God and that God loves us so much he gave his own son to die. Just the same, Abraham loved God so much he was willing to kill his own flesh and blood. Abraham traveled three days to the place of sacrifice; Jesus finished his journey from death to life in three days. “Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar.” (Genesis 22:4) With no hesitation, Abraham rose early and traveled three days. He traveled from Beersheba to Moriah. In the New Testament 3 days is how long it took for Jesus to conquer death. “and they will kill Him and the third day He will be raised up” (Matthew 17:23) There is some significance in the use of the number three. Both involve a journey. Isaac carried his own wood for the sacrifice; Jesus carried his own wooden cross. Both were carrying it to be the sacrifice themselves according to God’s will. “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.” (Genesis 22:6) “And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of Skulls, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.” (John 19:17) The condemned man carried it on his shoulders to the place of execution. In both cases, this is true. Abraham says God will provide a Lamb for the sacrifice; Jesus was the lamb God sacrifices. “Abraham said ‘God will provide himself a lamb for the burnt offering my son.’ So they went both of them together.” (Genesis 22:8) Many bible scholars see that as some kind of prophecy of Jesus Christ dying for our sins on the cross so that we can go to heaven. “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb with out blemish and without spot.” (1Peter 1:19) In the end of this story, after the angel stops Abraham from killing Isaac, the ram takes the place of Isaac. This the same idea of “substitutionary atonement” is represented by Christ taking our place on the cross, “The next day john saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sons of the world.’” (John 1:29) The redemption of Isa...