Whenever I delve into the depths of the riches of God’s Word, I experience a soul renewed. From the allegorical messages filled with symbolism strong and dynamic lessons are planted, the note of a love letter as well as the poetry inscribed lines bring wisdom for my journey, while the literal instructed commands are a hedge of protection to my heart. There is no doubt to the authenticity of Scripture with accounts of a Savior being foretold as early as the first book of the Bible. It is in Genesis 3:15 Adam and Eve are the first to hear of a coming Redeemer.  And later in Genesis (chapter 22), there is that remarkable account when Abraham is told by God to take his son, his only son, and sacrifice him on Mount Moriah. Of course, for Abraham this was a test but in the bigger picture it pictures Jesus Christ, God’s only son, being the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world.

My heart is drawn more and more to the Easter Story whereby each year in anticipation of the Resurrection celebration, I find an added bonus to Scripture from a book by my pastor, Stephen Davey. A few years ago, Almost Empty: An Inside Look at the Passion Week gave me some great insights to “chew on.” This year, What the Cross of Christ Destroys, has me pouring over some thought-provoking conclusions. And I am always happy to share a portion from what I glean!

Mount Moriah, a ridge of small hills, is where Isaac voluntarily crawled up on the altar as a burnt offering (Genesis 22). But God stayed Abraham’s hand from coming down with the knife on his son and “Provided.” What did He provide? A ram! It was not yet time for the Lamb!

Again, the creativity of Scripture and the alignment of how God works produces such a magnitude of “WHAT AN AMAZING GOD WE SERVE” to erupt within me.

Moriah, that little ridge of small hills would be the very spot “Solomon would build that magnificent temple where the glory of God would descend.” And yes, that Temple was destroyed, (like the body of our Lord’s Temple would later be destroyed), and in future years, “just a stone’s throw from that temple, a city would be built and inhabited off and on by Abraham’s descendants – a city called Jerusalem” (Stephen Davey, What the Cross of Christ Destroys).

“By the time of Jesus Christ, the ridge nearest the city was no longer referred to as Moriah, but instead had been given a slang Aramaic expression because of the way it was shaped. It was then called Golgotha, meaning, ‘Place of a Skull’” (Matthew 27:33, Davey).

Abraham’s prophecy came true several thousand years later, no doubt on that very spot where Isaac was a picture of Christ, willing to be offered as a burnt offering for sin. There Jesus Christ hung willingly from the cross “as the burnt offering given up as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.” (Davey, p. 18)

“The prophetic gospel of Abraham indeed came true. God provided, on that mount, the Lamb!” (Davey, p. 18)

Hallelujah! He Lives; I pray you know Him as your unblemished Savior Lamb!

For more reading on our Resurrected Lord & Easter, the following posts are from the book, Almost Empty.

Good Friday (Day 46) | The Scarlett Road

A Garden of Grief (Day 45) | The Scarlett Road

I AM HE! (Day 43) | The Scarlett Road

Humble King & Messiah (Day 42) | The Scarlett Road