The book about the life of Jesus Christ,
the Son of God
“Verse by verse”, the deeper meaning of this Bible book,
explained in the light of the Israelitic tabernacle.
The necessity of the death of the Lamb
The sevenfold sprinkling of the blood in seven Scripture passages.
From this moment on Jesus, as the Lamb of God, proceeded unwaveringly to Golgotha, for which purpose He came into the world (verse 27). God’s justice demanded punishment for man’s sin. The fall of man was no surprise to God… God already foresaw this before He created man, but He gave man a way out unto salvation, if at least man be prepared to turn to God, by sharing the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Golgotha. And we share it if we are willing to die (off) to our old, sinful life. Seven Scripture passages in this chapter will indicate seven times the necessity for the blood of God’s Lamb to be shed to work man’s reconciliation with God. At the symbolical Tabernacle or temple act on the Great Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) [1] the high priest also was to sprinkle before the Ark of the Covenant seven times the blood of the sin offerings (Leviticus 16:14-15). Seven is the biblical number of completeness/fullness. Therefore the sevenfold sprinkling of the blood by the high priest also speaks of complete deliverance offered unto us by the blood of God’s Lamb (Hebrews 9:12-14), whereby the purified and sanctified person, spiritually seen, could come (before and in) the throne of God (Hebrews 7:25; Revelation 3:21). Seen in the light of the Israelitic Tabernacle this means that we can enter the Holy of holies of God’s Tabernacle, and in an absolute sense, share the complete union with our almighty God, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant. Naaman was to wash himself seven times in the Jordan to become completely pure (2 Kings 5:14).
The 1st Scripture passage that speaks of the Blood.
John 12 verse 1-11: “Then Jesus six days before the passover (feast) [2] came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence (i.e. a Roman coin worth around 40 cents), and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and (among the apostles was the one that) had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you: but me ye have not always (with you). Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.”
Here is spoken of the anointing Jesus received from Mary of Bethany as “a preparation unto His burial“. This anointing took place in the house of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50).
With this anointing with very costly (spike)nard, Jesus in fact was glorified as the Lamb of God, Which would take away the sin of the world, by Mary, who, driven by the Holy Spirit and by her gratitude, anticipated His death.
The bottle of (spike-)nard had to be broken for her to pour out this nard over Jesus. Similarly, if our gratitude and love is to be revealed unto the world as a living testimony of the (new) Christ-life we have received by grace in the place of the old “I”-life, our own “I”-life must be broken if we bear in our heart the nard of grateful love for Jesus and His sacrifice brought for us.
Here, too, the deadly hatred of the high priests who rejected Him, is expressed (verse 10).
The family of Bethany – namely Lazarus, Mary and Martha – is shown here “in resurrection power”. Lazarus took part in a meal (verse 2), a symbolical image of the participation of our spirit in the Tree of Life (Revelation 22:14), the Wedding supper of the Lamb (Luke 14:15-24; Matthew 22:1-14). Mary anointed Jesus with nard (verse 3), a symbol of the worship and praise of the soul. Martha served at this meal (verse 2), type of the body that is now serving in all activities concerning the serving and administering of the divine Wedding supper.
The 2nd Scripture passage.
John 12 verse 12-19: “On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna, Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.”
This passage is about the last time Jesus entered Jerusalem. This happened exactly four days before Jesus’ crucifixion on the 16th Nisan, in accordance with the prophecy included in the establishment of the Passover feast (see Exodus 12:3-6). From then on the divine Lamb had been “in store” in order to be “slaughtered after four days, in the evening (at dusk)”. Jesus entered Jerusalem, in accordance with Zechariah’s prophecy (9:9), riding on a donkey, to be applauded by the people as Israel’s King. The people had other intentions than Jesus had, and they thought that He would intervene politically to deliver them from the hated yoke of the Romans. Jesus disappointed them in their assumptions, and their “hosannas” would soon be replaced by their “crucify Him! “But Jesus, as a willing “donkey”, wanted to lead man – through His death and resurrection – to the eternal, heavenly New Jerusalem. There He would be an eternal King to man, in order for them to reign with Him in the New Heaven and the New Earth(s). In verse 19 we again see the bitter hatred of the Pharisees emerge/appear.
The 3rd Scripture passage.
John 12 verse 20-24: “And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
There were some Greek proselytes (these are converts), who had also come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast there. They desired to see Jesus, because they had heard so much about Him. The demand for Jesus, the Redeemer and Savior, would soon sound throughout the entire heathen world (heathenism/ heathendom). But before they could receive their salvation through Jesus “the (divine) Seed, the corn of wheat, first had to fall to the ground and die; only then it would bring forth much fruit” (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53:10-12).
The 4th Scripture passage.
John 12 verse 25-30: “He/she that loveth his/her life shall lose it; and he/she that hateth (does not love) his/her life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any (wo)man serve me, let him/her follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any (wo)man serve me, him/her will my Father honor. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.”
Jesus’ death on the cross, the shedding of His blood, was a substitute for each child of God (for He died for our sins). Therefore each child of God must share (in the spirit) the death on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:5; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:10-11). We are to follow Jesus in His death and resurrection to be able to truly serve Him (Luke 9:23-25). For we can only rise in “newness of life” if we have died (off) to our old, sinful life. The Father glorified His Name in Jesus Christ, and He shall glorify His Name also in all, who have come to full (spiritual) maturity in the Christ-body.
The 5th Scripture passage.
John 12 verse 31-36: “Now is the judgement of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth forever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”
The whole world must be brought under God’s dominion again (Romans 8:18-21). By Jesus’ death and resurrection the keys of hell and death have been snatched from satan (Luke 11:21-22; Revelation 1:18), and have been given to the Church (Matthew 16:19; Ephesians 4:7-13) that Jesus again be King of the world (Revelation 11:15; Psalm 2:5-12), while His Church, as His Body here on earth, may reign with Him (Matthew 5:5; Psalm 37:11; Revelation 20:4). And not only reign over people, but over all satanic forces (also, and especially those in man).
This (divine) work began after His resurrection, and shall be concluded at His return on the clouds, in great power and glory, which will take place at the end of time (Matt. 24:30; Rev.19:11-14).
Then He shall reign over His Church in the Millennium, together with His elders (they, who have reached spiritual maturity here on earth) (Isaiah 24:23; Luke 19:17 and 19; Revelation 20:4). After that, when His entire Church will have reached (full) maturity (Ephesians 4:12-16), He shall reign, with the entire Church, in the New Heaven and over the New Earth(s) for all eternity (1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-27).
We are all called to share Jesus’ royal anointing for ever (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:10), as we will share His priestly anointing here on earth (He the High Priest, we His priests). On the new earth(s) (Isaiah 65:17-25) there will be a new generation of people, when we have been perfected as countless sons of God. There we shall serve God for all eternity, and share His dominion. (See also my study “What Scripture teaches about the Millennium of King Jesus (the porch of the New Heaven and the New Jerusalem)”.
The 6th Scripture passage.
John 12 verse 37-43: “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed (or: who has seen that God had His hand in all these miracles)? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw the glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
It was because of the unbelief of the chief rulers of the Jews, that Jesus was taken to the cross. This also happened because of the un-confessed belief/faith of many chief rulers, because they feared to be banned from the synagogue, and because they loved the praise of people (more). But the truth behind these circumstances is that the Father Himself led His Son unto death for the salvation of man (Isaiah 53:10; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:8-9).
The 7th Scripture passage.
John 12 verse 44-50: “Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge (the people of) the world, but to save (the people of) the world (forever). He/she that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him/her: (namely) the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him/her in the last day (of judgement). For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
True faith in Jesus and (complete) submission to Him – that He might prove in the believer His work on the cross of Calvary, finished for us – brings eternal life to man (John 1:12; 3:16), but whoever does not believe will receive eternal condemnation (Matthew 25:41; Mark 16:16; John 3:18-19). Also: whoever believes, but does not obey Him comes under God’s judgement (John 3:36). Unbelief in Jesus’ shed (for us), atoning blood will cause God’s judgement to come down on the sinner’s head in all fullness (Matthew 25:41).
By E. van den Worm
A Dutch Bible teacher
To be continued
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[1] a: The Great Day of Atonement was on the tenth day of the month Tishri (the seventh month of the Israelitic religious year; the first month of the civil and economic year; with us this is around September/October). The directions for this day we find in Leviticus 16 and 23:27-32. See for the fulfilment in Christ Hebrews 9. From Leviticus 16 we find that even the high priest could not enter the Holy of holies at any time and without special ceremonies. He and his house needed reconciliation as well. The people of Israel and the holy place themselves had to be reconciled too. Just once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest of Israel entered into the holy place with the shed blood of the sin offering, sacrificed on the Altar of burnt offering; and in this way reconciliation was worked with that blood. “And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.” (Leviticus 16:19). Fasting was required for this day. The Great Day of Atonement impresses man with the holiness of YaHWeH (i.e. God), but also with the sinfulness of man, even of the people of the covenant (Israel) and its most holy persons, and thus of the necessity of the offering of Christ on the cross of Calvary. The “Once-for-all sacrifice” of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary is the foundation of all! Seven times that blood had to be sprinkled, and so this ministry of Christ (as Mediator of the New Testament) symbolically reaches unto the end of the seven times… A ministry of reconciliation, which lasted until the end of the present dispensation.
b: The Great Day of Atonement, therefore, is a spiritual feast, which taught, and teaches, Israel and us that the sinner can only be forgiven and reconciled with God by that once finished, for all humanity of all time, sacrifice of the Lamb of God, because He worked an eternal salvation there, and because that offering-blood was accepted by the heavenly Judge (Hebrews 9:11-12).
[2] From the bible encyclopaedia:
Under the name Passover one could draw together the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread. The establishment of the Passover we find in Exodus 12:1-28; 13:3-10; Leviticus 23:4-8; Numbers 28:16-25; Deuteronomy 16:1-8 and 16. In the month of the exodus out of Egypt YaHWeH commanded Moses and Aaron to say to the Israelites that the head of every family had to take a lamb on the 10th Nissan (also called Abib, with us around March/April), which from then on was to be the first month of the year (see Exodus 12:2; 13:4; 23:15). If the family was too small for one lamb, then they had to share one lamb between two families with the nearest neighbors. In this institution the family is a unity, represented by the head (of the family), acting as a priest, which at a later date was replaced by the priests and the Levites (see Deuteronomy 16:5). It had to be a perfect, male lamb, of the sheep or goats. The lamb was to be slaughtered on the 14th of the month, “in the evening” (Exodus 12:6; Deuteronomy 16:6), i.e. at dusk. The blood of the lamb had to be brushed on both side posts and on the upper doorpost of each house. The flesh was to be eaten the same night with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The lamb was to be roasted over the fire. No bone thereof was to be broken (Exodus 12:46). Nothing was to be left for the next morning. Moreover, Israel was to eat unleavened bread from the 14th to the 21st day of the month, thus 7 days. On the 1st and 7th day of the feast there was to be a holy meeting. And, every day, besides the normal offerings, feast-offerings were to be brought. The Passover is the feast of the saving passing-by of the Lord: “…and when I see the blood, I will pass over you…” (Exodus 12:13). It points to the being spared, by the blood of the lamb, of the judgement YaHWeH brought over Egypt in the tenth plague: the death of all firstborn. The feast of the unleavened bread commemorates the haste at the exodus (Deuteronomy 16:3), thus the exodus itself. For the symbolical meaning of the Passover, see John 1:29 and 36; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8. The later Jews distinguished between the establishments, which applied to the Passover in Egypt, and those which continued to be valid. They considered the choosing of the lamb on the tenth day, the brushing on of the blood on the houses, the eating of the Passover lamb in travelling clothes and with anxious haste, not repeatable.
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P.S. :
Translated from Dutch into English
See our Dutch site https://eindtijdbodeBijbelstudies.wordpress.com with far more studies you can translate by Google etc.
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