A Profound Picture of Christ

“But if someone strikes and kills another person with a piece of iron, it is murder, and the murderer must be executed.  Or if someone with a stone in his hand strikes and kills another person, it is murder, and the murderer must be put to death.  Or if someone strikes and kills another person with a wooden object, it is murder, and the murderer must be put to death.  The victim’s nearest relative is responsible for putting the murderer to death.  When they meet, the avenger must put the murderer to death. [Numbers 35.16-19]

Here's an interesting bit of instruction!

Here's an even more interesting and profound picture of Christ!

It seems to be no mistake that the LORD defined murder to Moses and therefore Israel in the three ways listed in the passage above.  Three things were necessary to crucify Jesus: nails would likely have been iron, something with which to drive the nails could just as easily have been a stone as a hammer, and the cross would have been no other material than wood.

The public in general was responsible for the death of Jesus.  He was accused, tried, and executed through a system that involved individuals and leaders alike.  No one person was responsible for the death of God's Son, but rather a group representative of all mankind.

According to the Numbers account above, the nearest relative is responsible to avenge murder.  Jesus' nearest relative was and is God His Father.  Uh-oh, mankind is in deep trouble!

But what did the Victim of our crime say in the cross?  He said, "Father, forgive them..."

Father, I am blown away this morning in seeing Jesus in the passage from Numbers above!  Thank You for giving me eyes to see Your magnificent plan!  Thank You!