Jesus, the one who took your place on the altar

Genesis 22:12-13: “And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.” (NKJV)

Jesus is found, not once, but twice in the story of Abraham and Isaac when God tested Abraham’s faith and asked him to sacrifice his only son as a burnt offering to God.

The first time is in the relationship between Abraham and Isaac which portrays the relationship between God and Jesus, His Son. Just like Isaac was Abraham’s only promised son, so was Jesus God’s only beloved Son who had to be sacrificed for us. In order for us to start and grip the love God has for us, we need to consider the act of love where you give up your only child to allow someone else to live.

When Abraham and Isaac had to walk up the mountain, Abraham loaded the wood on Isaac’s back which he had to carry up the mountain. Here again we see a picture of Jesus carrying His cross up Mount Calvary.

As they reached the top Isaac said to his father: “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham replied, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” (Genesis 22:7-8). And so God did.

The second picture of Jesus steps in with the actual lamb which was used to proceed with the offering. This is again a picture of Jesus, the Lamb that was provided by God as an offering to cleanse us from all sin. Instead of us carrying the sacrifice of our sin and dying therefore, Jesus died in our place.

Then the Angel of the Lord said to Abraham when he was about to slay Isaac: “…don’t hurt the lad in any way, for I know that God is first in your life—you have not withheld even your beloved son from me.” God was in effect saying to Abraham, “Now I know that you love Me, because you have not withhold your son, your only son, from Me.” By comparing God’s gracious offering of giving up His only Beloved Son, Jesus as the lamb for our burnt offering, to Abraham (us) giving up his promised son (whatever we hold dear to our hearts), God is truly showing us His love for us.

Jesus was precious to God and He gave Him up for us. Isaac (we) did not have to die, because Jesus (the lamb) was given to die in our place. The ultimate picture of sacrificial love.

Today, we can look at the cross and see Jesus bleeding and dying there. Our words to God can be: “Now I know that You love me because You have not withheld Your Son, Your only Son, from me.”

The cross demonstrates God’s love for you and me. Live each day knowing God really loves you because He willingly gave up Jesus (His very best) for you!

Maretha Retief

Illustration by Jeanne de Villiers