Palm Sunday and the Lamb of God

In Ex. 12:1-14 we find the preparation for a salvation event that would be commemorated by Israel for as long as there was an altar and a priesthood in Israel. The initial preparation and subsequent memorials began with the selection of a yearling lamb on the tenth day of the first month (what we now call March/April – their calendar is the main reason Easter changes date each year).

Col. 2:16-17 is a passage that notes that the Israelite festivals were a shadow of future realities, but that the reality is in Jesus. In the case of Passover, the shadow became reality at the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus’ death paid the penalty of sin, which we are told is death. He died so that those who believe in him do not have to suffer death as a final outcome.

I believe that the setting apart of the Passover lambs four days prior to Passover was a prophecy that was fulfilled when according to John 12:12-36 Jesus was set apart for death on Palm Sunday.

Isaiah 52:7-53:12 not only predicted Jesus’ suffering and death, but also his resurrection. How else can God make him an offering for sin, yet give him a portion with the great? How does he go from death to making intercession for sinners?

OK, so Jesus had to die. Why did he have to be humiliated by beatings and whippings?

Not only does Jesus pay the general penalty for sin, but also pays specific penalties for redeeming the kings of Israel and Judah. 2 Sam 7:12-17 outlines the punishment for unfaithfulness to kings of David’s line: floggings and beatings of men.

He even pays the penalty in 1 Sam 2:27-36 for a disobedient priesthood: early death and humiliation. This is part of the reason Jesus qualifies for a higher priesthood according to the book of Hebrews (Heb. 5:5-10). (I suggest another part of the reason in this previous post.)

In Matt 26:26-28 Jesus is arrested in secret at night, tried in secret at night, using false witnesses to speak lies about Jesus. He is even declared innocent by Pilate but flogged and crucified anyway. (Both Jews and Romans were proud of their legal systems. This part of the story underscores the hypocrisy of human nature when it comes to power and privilege.)

This is why in Heb. 10:1-18 Jesus is declared the perfect sacrifice.

The offering of the wave sheaf in Lev. 23:9-14 happened at dawn each year during the first Sunday morning during the week of Passover. It is no coincidence that this is the day Jesus is seen alive. In the original Hebrew calendar that day started the countdown to Pentecost.

How appropriate that the Pentecost arrival of the Holy Spirit in the disciples could not happen until after Resurrection Sunday.