Shadows Of Cross Series

Good Friday Meditations

Theme: Shadows of Cross in Old Testament

Text: Leviticus 16:20-22

Good Friday service:

It is only a commemorative service and not exactly observation of the exact time of the Crucifixion. If some are more concerned about on the Exact Time of the occurrence, then the whole world has to observe at the same hour but different timings around the globe. Then it would be mid night for some eastern countries, and for the western countries it would one day early. The time mentioned in the Bible is applicable only to Israel and neighboring nations. So, don’t worry about the service timings, you can meditate at any time of the day.

Today, we would like to mediate the shadows of the Cross in the Old Testament. But before that I would like to show the shadow of the words spoken by Jesus on the Cross.

The seven words spoken by Jesus Christ on the Cross has connectivity with the Old Testament scriptures. I would like to quickly give the glimpses of those references:

- Luke 23:34 - Forgive Them – Genesis 50:15-20 Joseph forgives his brothers.

- Luke 23:42 – You will be with me – 1 Samuel 28:19 Samuel told Saul and Jonathan about their death.

- John 19:26-27 – New Relationship – Survivors responsibility – Ruth 4 Ruth and Boaz.

- Matthew 25:46 – Why you have forsaken me – Psalm 22:1 Cry of David.

- John 19:28 - I am Thirst – Psalm 69:21 David was thirsty and received the same treatment.

- John 19:30 – It is Finished – Psalm 34:20 It is finished.

- Luke 23:46 – Commit my Spirit – Psalm 31:5 David prays this prayer.

SHADOWS OF CROSS

The word SHADOW is variously translated as type, print, figure, pattern, fashion, and copy by the New Testament writers. The Old Testament is filled with bloodshed rituals of animal sacrifice. It points to Christ and his cross.

The entire system of Judaism, with its types and symbols, was a shadow of the cross, extending from Calvary back to the Eden, and contained a compacted prophecy of the gospel. The volume of the book is written of Jesus (Hebrews 10:7).

Jesus also emphasized that beginning at Moses and all the Prophets expounded concerning Jesus and his mission (Luke 24:27). So, all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Jesus (Luke 24:44). Jesus told the religious leaders of his time to search the Scriptures which testify of him (John 5:39).

Let me explain a few for our understanding:

Jesus was the second Adam according to Romans 5:14.

A Seed of a woman is found Genesis 3:14-15 referring to the Cross.

Melchizedek is a shadow of Christ. He was a king and a priest. He brought bread and wine and blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:17-20). Jesus has instituted the Lord’s supper.

A Ram found by Abraham in Genesis 22:1-14 referred in Hebrews 11:17-19 which compares Isaac with Jesus.

Jesus is the Passover Lamb as per 1 Corinthians 5:7.

Jesus is the heavenly manna (John 6:32-33).

Jesus was the rock that accompanied Israel in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:4).

Jesus is equivalent to cities of refuge (Hebrews 6:18).

Jesus’ body consecrated us through the veil (Hebrews 10:20).

Scapegoat:

The Scapegoat is taken off into the wilderness (Leviticus 16.7-8). The priest shall present the live goat. Then Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and sending it away into the wilderness designated for the task (Leviticus 16.20-22).

As Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness, even so, must the Son of Man will be lifted up (John 3:14).

The religious festival, a New Moon celebration, a Sabbath day is a shadow of the things that were to come found in Christ (Colossians 2:16-17) The Sabbath was a type of rest in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-10).

A suffering Servant beautifully identified with Jesus in Isaiah 53:1-12.

As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40).

These are a few Shadows of Christ.

CLOSING THOUGHTS for Good Friday

For Jews the Cross is the Disgrace as we read in Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - “And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance.”