Shadows, types and prohecies

1 Peter 1

Peter reminds people that the Old Testament saints yearned to see one who was promised by types, shadows and prophecies. They wanted to know what we know . They have much to tell us of God.
The greatest picture of Jesus is the Passover lamb referred to many times in the New Testament, by John the Baptist and Peter in 1 Peter 1 - sprinkling by the blood. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 Paul calls him the passover lamb, John calls Jesus the lamb over 30 times in Revelations, Jesus chose to die at Passover, he would be the perfect sacrifice. There are 5 questions about this:
1. Who was sacrificed? A lamb was taken by the people and. It is vulnerable, perhaps it looks almost helpless with no means of defence or attack. Jesus chose to be weak and vulnerable when he came - he had no soldiers to protect him. His family had to run away when Herod threatened. He was reliant on others. Though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor. It had to be a mature lamb, a year old, no longer dependent on his mother. Jesus had grown to maturity, a mature man of 30. At 30 levites were given responsibility in the temple. He was the perfect saviour for everyone. The lamb had to be without blemish, it was observed for 4 days to be sure it was perfect. Jesus was the spotless, sinless son of God. He was tried and tested all of his life. Satan came to him at his weakest but he did not give in to temptation. Jesus triumphed over sin despite Satan's continually trying Jesus. Jesus was tested by his enemies - scribes, priests and pharisees in order to find fault with him on numerous occasions but he silenced his enemies by the power of his wisdom. He was tested by his friends when they failed to trust and understand him. In the end they all forsook him and fled from him in the garden. At his trial he was tested by false witnesses and was found to be faultless.
2. How was he sacrificed? The passover lamb was killed and his blood sprinkled on the door posts and lintel. The sacrifice was total so Jesus actually died and his blood was poured out. He was nailed to the cross and his side was pierced and he actually died completely. It was not just suffering in his body but also in his soul, he was made a sacrifice for sin. This suffering was greater than in his body, he felt the wrath of God and he was separated from God. His death was a complete and total sacrifice for sin. 2 Peter 2:4-5. The suffering of hell came upon him.
3. Why was he sacrificed? Yes as an offering for sin but also that he might take the place of the guilty. The passover lamb died in place of the first born child. The blood on the door post and lintel said one had already died for the guilty.
The Ark kept people safe, the lamb was a scape goat for the guilty. Jesus said he gave his life as a ransom for many. He stood in the place of the ungodly, he took the curse due to the guilty. As Christians, we have one who died for us.
4. When was the sacrifice made? It took place while the Israelites were still slaves in Egypt. It was not made for those who were set free but so they could be made free. While we were still sinners , Christ died for us, the ungodly. We were dead in trespasses and sin. We were still rebels and enemies of his. He did not die for those who were good, but for those who needed him - sinners. Someone might dare to die for a good man but Christ died for those who were his enemies, before we even thought of him, we were still at enmity with him.
5. When was the sacrifice effective? For the Israelites the blood had to be sprinkled on the lintel and door posts. Christ did not die for everyone, people are not saved unless we come in true repentance and trust in the Lord Jesus. Jesus appealed directly to people and invited them to believe as did the apostles. God gives the power and desire to repent. God gives the gift of new life and the power to come. The blood must be sprinkled.
Closing
Where was the blood not sprinkled? It was not sprinkled on the door step so it could not be trampled under foot and people would disrespect it. We must not trample underfoot the son of God or treat the covenant as an unholy thing.
Can believers be guilty of trampling underfoot the blood? Yes when we fail to appreciate its value or put something else in its place. We must appreciate greatly what he has done. We must do what he commands. We must give him our heart felt allegiance.