He reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. (Genesis 22:10)The account of Abraham's near sacrifice of his son is dear to Christians, Jews and Muslims... only in most Muslim accounts it is Ishmael that Abraham takes to the mountain, not Isaac.
Do you notice the parallel between Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his only son borne to him by Sarah, and God's willingness to sacrifice his only begotten Son?
With his hand grasping the knife, do you think Abraham breathed a sigh of relief when he was restrained from killing Isaac and the ram was provided to take his place? Do you think a person of Jewish tradition (if that person could put aside his prejudice long enough to imagine that Jesus might have been God's Son), in reading the crucifixion account, would have noticed the parallel? As the Son was readied for sacrifice, what would be that reader's expectation? Perhaps as the hammer arced (or arcked - awkward) through the air to connect with the nail and pierce Christ's hands and feet, would the Jewish reader expect God to make a substitution? A perfect lamb in place of his Son?
But no substitution was made. Christ was the substitute.
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain. (Revelation 5:12)
Have you paused lately to thank God for providing a Lamb in your place?
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