To accept the fact of the Passover sacrifice pointing to
Jesus in His redemptive role, there must be some significance in the other
sacrifices. The morning and the evening sacrifices are a case in point (Exodus
29:38-41). This is what you are to offer
on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. Offer one in the morning
and the other at twilight….a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the Lord by
fire.’
These sacrifices began and ended the day. They were to be a
perpetual sacrifice. Each lamb was totally consumed by fire as it was
exclusively offer to God. Other sacrifices were for the benefit of priest and
people in the Lord’s presence. C.H. Mackintosh in ‘Notes on the Pentateuch,
p.578 said, ‘(the morning and evening sacrifices pointed to) God’s delight in
Christ. Morning by morning, evening by evening, day by day, week by week, from
one new moon to another, from the opening to the close of the year, it is
Christ in His fragrance and preciousness to God ward…the heart of God is
refreshed and delighted by Christ.’ This was testified to at His baptism and on
the Mount of Transfiguration.
The crucifixion was no chance affair. Political intrigue and
personal animosity may appear to have driven the nails and the spear. It was
however all in the perfect timing of God’s purposes. We rejoice in the
Passover. What is not so apparent is its link with the morning and evening
sacrifices. Each morning sacrifice was prepared from 7:30am and sacrificed at
9am. The evening sacrifice was slain at 2:30pm and became a burnt offering at
3:30pm. We can so easily overlook the
significance of what Mark records in chapter 15:25 ‘It was the third hour when they crucified him.’ That was 9am. Luke
23:44-46 (NIV) ‘It was about the sixth
hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour…Jesus called
out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he
had said this, he breathed his last.’
That’s around 3pm. The Passover completed that day’s sacrificial
services, which on every other day would have concluded with the evening
sacrifice.
Therefore, what was for us, salvation was combined with the
sacrifices which delighted the Father! Ephesians 5:2 ‘Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering to
God.’ Because He was accepted our commitment to Him has also made us share
in the aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15. NRSV)
Of all the sacrifices spoken of in the Old Testament none
surpass the morning and evening ones. ‘It
is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to
proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. (Psalm
92:1-2 NIV). Yes, they have been fulfilled! However, when we uphold the Name of
the Lord Jesus before the Father’s throne we maintain the principle of the
morning and evening sacrifices.
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I appreciated this, Ray, especially as I'm busy with 2 books on Miriam which of course include the first Passover.
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