Just as the Jews chose the best of their flock as a sacrifice for their sins, God chose the best of the human “flock” as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 Peter 1:18, 19). Just as the sins of the ancient people were transferred to their sacrificial lamb, our sins were transferred to Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21), our Sacrificial Lamb.
Just as the lamb was roasted in fire upon wood outside of the camp, the rejection, shame, reproach and suffering upon a wooden cross that Christ endured is symbolic of Him being roasted in fire (Hebrews 13:11-12). The lamb is such a fitting and worthy symbol of Jesus, who in innocence, patiently endured suffering as our substitute (Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19). Christ’s offering of Himself, speaks of His complete unselfishness and His total dedication to God and the will of God. We too must offer ourselves to be roasted by fire, by “dying daily”, and sacrificing our own lives unto God, through His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:36; 12:1-2).
Just as the Jews consumed the sacrificial lamb, we too are to eat of the Sacrifice. We are to consume God’s own sacrifice, Christ Jesus; but unlike the Jews at that first Passover (Exodus 12), we do not eat a dead, lifeless lamb but we are, right now, partakers of the Living Lamb (John 6:54). To eat the Living lamb is to partake of the Divine Nature (2 Peter 1:4) and of Christ’s sufferings and His glory (1 Peter 4:13, 5:1). We consume Christ spiritually via the Sacrament of Holy Communion and by the meditation and reading of the Word of God. We consume Christ as a sign of fellowship with God and each other. It is symbolic of the great heavenly feast (Revelation 19:9).
Let us pray to understand and grasp the spiritual principles of this Truth, so that we may live our lives, re-born as new creations in Christ, following in His footsteps, partaking in His sufferings and His glory, allowed and encouraged to eat of this amazing sacrifice.
Roasted in Fire and Entirely Consumed ©2013 Shelley Johnson 1-March-2013
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