He didn’t stay dead . . .

Leviticus 1; Proverbs 17; John 20; Philippians 4

Leviticus isn’t known for being an exciting read, but the typology in it is fascinating. Typology is a literary device or figure of speech in which a something in the Old Testament is understood to correspond with a something in the New Testament. In most cases, the OT type points to Jesus Christ.

For instance, the burnt offering description says that the one who offered it must “lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.” (Leviticus 1:4)

The word translated “to lay his hand on” means “resting or supporting oneself” on the animal. Through this act the worshiper identified himself with the animal as his substitute. In the NT, those who believe in Jesus Christ identify with His death and declare that they are totally resting their life on Him.

“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” (Romans 6:8)

The burnt offering is repeatedly said in Leviticus to be “a pleasing aroma to the Lord” which is an anthropomorphic expression or figure of speech attributing human attributes to God. This expression indicates the Lord’s approval and acceptance of the completed sacrifice. In the NT, it says . . .

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)

As I was reading about the killing of lambs etc. I thought how shocked those OT people would have been had the animal on the altar returned to life. I remember my dad reluctantly disposing of a large dog because it was chasing the neighbor’s cows. He shot it between the eyes out in the trees. Two weeks later, that dog walked into the yard. What a stir that created! Most people would not have believed it.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19–20)

However, Thomas was not there and he didn’t believe it happened. He had to see it for himself . . .

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:26–29)

Jesus, not a tough dog but the Lamb of God and a vulnerable and willing sacrifice, did many other signs in the presence of the disciples which John did not write in his gospel, but he said, “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30–31)

Types don’t work backwards. We read them that way now after easily being able to see the fulfillment they pointed toward, but those slain animals could not save anyone offering them. They stayed dead, yet had a purpose . . .

“But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:3–4)

Instead, the NT says that by the will of God, “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10) Jesus is the better sacrifice, the One needed to resolve the sin problem.

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. (Hebrews 10:16–18)

APPLY: Today, the OT points me again to Jesus who died for my sin — but He did not stay dead. He is no longer on the cross and He did not die so I could earn my salvation (like one cult believes). He died and rose. He is alive and He lives in me. He gives me His incredible peace and joy — and I can experience both even as the world news threatens. Because His offering was accepted, I am also accepted and death cannot rob me of His abundant life here — or His eternal life beyond this life.

Seeds die before flowers grow!

This spring we bought tomato plants for the sunshine side of our home. We had two planting pots left over and my husband had two seed packets stowed in the back of his desk drawer. He forgot where they came from or how long they were there, perhaps 2-3 years. We had nothing to lose so sprinkled the contents in each of the planters and kept them moist. One was ‘wildflowers’ and the other ‘Shasta Daisy’ — a perennial.

The wildflowers came up thick and have been blooming for several weeks. The daisies came up thick too, even had to be thinned. They will bloom next year if we replant them in a good spot. Both came from tiny seeds, useless until they were planted, and useless unless their shells decayed and released the life hidden in them. I smile every time I look at them.

Jesus said to His disciples: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” (John 12:23–26)

Jesus was talking about Himself and what His death would accomplish, but He was also talking about His followers. For us, this death is like His but different. He died on the Cross and rose from that death to give us eternal life. For Christians, we must die to our old ways, to self-rule as He did when He said, “Not My will but Thine be done” to His Father. When we yield all to Him like that, His eternal life is released from us, blessing others with that quality of life that cannot die.

Today’s devotional reading lists some ‘fruit’ that the death of Christ produced. The first one is that His death satisfied the justice of God. Because He died in our place, we do not pay the penalty for sin. (See Romans 3:25–26) I cannot produce that atoning ‘fruit’ by putting to death my old nature and living in the fullness of the new life Christ has given me, yet that new life is His life, a life of power and grace. What will He grow?

Actually, I cannot guess what He will do through me. When we planted those wildflowers, the seed packet did not list the contents. We did not know what the ‘fruit’ would look like, nor that it would be so prolific. Planted in faith? Maybe, but the seeds were definitely planted in hope. They surprised us by growing and their blooms give great pleasure. I’d like my life to be like that — growing and giving joy to others.

The second ‘fruit’ listed in the devotional is that Christ’s death “redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’” (Galatians 3:13).

The Law of God can no longer condemn us because Jesus took that condemnation on Himself. His death paid the price so I could escape the damnation of sin. I cannot do that for others either, but can God use the ‘death of me’ to help others better understand that Jesus Christ’s death has the power to change lives.

The third fruit is removal of guilt by forgiveness: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

I’ve never thought of comparing forgiveness with flowers before now. Knowing that God (or anyone else) is not angry with me for any wrong-doing is like being in a garden of roses, like enjoying the perfume of sweet peas, like looking across a sea of tulips or red poppies. All because He died. If I could give the world a great gift, it would have to be the gift of redemption, the freedom of knowing all is forgiven, the beauty of guilt lifted, then replaced with incredible beauty and delight.

Fourth, Satan is defeated. “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” (John 12:31) No brainer. Each time I say NO to self and YES to God, the enemy must flee. He cannot stay in the presence of a surrendered heart.

Fifth is sanctification. It is first declared and bestowed, then made a reality by the One “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14) This is what happens to those who ‘eat’ the fruit of His life (See John 6:35-58). The saying, “You are what you eat” is never truer or more amazing than this!

Sixth is the certainty of eternal life. Unlike a flower seed that produces a flower, that produces more seed, the ‘fruit’ from Christ, and the ‘fruit’ from dying to self lives forever: “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” (Romans 6:8)

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, oh Jesus, You are awesome. Those flowers gave us beauty and joy through seeds that ‘died’ but came out of a tomb to give us far more than we expected. Through Your death, You gave us Your life. Your Spirit fills us with His amazing fruit. Your life makes us a blessing to others, a sweet perfume of Your wonderful grace. Today, my intention is to live for You, not concerned about me (for You will take care of that) but letting the fruit of Your death and resurrection define all that I think and do.