Numbers: Jesus The Paschal Lamb Look At The Book! Numbers: Jesus The Paschal Lamb

Consider The Intricate Details Every single tiny detail in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus was of indespensible importance. Everything had to happen in a particular order, on a particular day, for a particular reason. Though it was a horrible event, the precision with which it happened could only come from God. God was in complete control.

Why Was The Precision Necessary? It seems impossible that the Lord could control even a blood thirsty mob to have them complete His eternal plan. Yet, that is what happened. Every detail of the crucifixion had to unfold perfectly to prove Jesus was the Messiah – because the Messiah was to fulfill dozens of prophesies in both His life and His death. Failure to fulfill them would prove Jesus to be a fraud. Success would prove Him to be the anointed Savior.

Jesus (Again) The Passover We have in the book of Numbers a recounting of the rules concerning the Passover. In chapter 9:11-12, we read: “In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall observe it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute of the Passover they shall observe it.”

Notice The Elements To be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. No leftovers were allowed. What wasn’t eaten was to be burned the following day. NOT A BONE WAS TO BE BROKEN!

Considering Leftovers? John Gill, in his commentary on Exodus 12, states, “It was to be all ate up; a whole Christ is to be received and fed upon by faith; Christ in both his natures, divine and human, united in his persons, in all his offices of prophet, priest, and King, and with all the benefits and blessings of his grace, and which come by his blood righteousness, and sacrifice….” So, nothing was to be eaten leftover until morning.

No Dividing Between Houses In the same way, there was to be no dividing of the sacrifice between houses. Christ is to remain undivided! Unity in Christ’s body is a vitally important matter that modern Christians have trivialized.

No Broken Bones Scripture insisted that the Lord’s Passover not have any broken bones. Numbers 9:12 – “…nor break a bone of it….” Exodus 12:46 – “It is to be eaten in a single house; you are not to bring forth any of the flesh outside of the house, nor are you to break a bone of it.” Psalm 34:19-20 – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken.”

Fulfillment In The Crucifixion Mark 14:12 – “On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” Luke 22:15 – “And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer….”

Jesus The Passover Lamb By His sacrifice during Passover, Jesus is demonstrated to be the Lamb of God. Since that is true, other parts of the rite of Passover became important as well. Such as: NO BROKEN BONES

Jesus was severely beaten… Matthew 26:67 – “Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, ‘Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?’” In all the beating, no bone was broken.

Jesus Was Severely Scourged… Whipping was a legal preliminary to crucifixion by Roman law. The degree of the whipping was left to the discretion of the lichtor. We have no doubt Jesus’ scourging was terribly severe. Isaiah 53:5 – “But He was pierced through for our transgression, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.”

No Bones Were Broken John 19:33-36 – “…but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “Not a bone of Him shall be broken.”

Let’s Be Careful What We Say I hear prayers about, “Jesus’ broken body on the cross….” I realize the skin was broken, etc. But let’s be cautious not to leave a wrong impression. Might I suggest: torn, bloodied, mutilated, scourged, mangled, ripped, wounded, lacerated, riven, rent. Let’s be cautious to remember Jesus as the Passover.