Jesus’ final week unfolds in precise harmony with the Passover ritual.
On the 10th of Nisan, Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph,
presenting Himself publicly as the Messiah.
As Passover lambs were brought from Bethphage to the Temple,
Jesus enters the city amid acclamation,
unknowingly being “selected” as the true Lamb.
unknown
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Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month
each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household.
The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects.
Exodus 12:3, 5 NLT
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“Josephus, the Jewish historian, tells us that one year a census was taken
of the number of lambs slain for Passover and that figure was 256,500.
In other words, with numbers this large,
lambs must literally be driven up to Jerusalem throughout the entire day.
Consequently, whenever Jesus entered the city
He must have done so surrounded by lambs,
Himself being the greatest of lambs.”
James Montgomery Boice
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“Take special care of this chosen animal
until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month.
Exodus 12:6a NLT
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In this way, the lamb became part of the family.
By the time it was sacrificed on the fourteenth
it was both cherished and mourned.
God wanted the sacrifice of something precious.
David Gruzik
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Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel
must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight.
Exodus 12:6b NLT
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“When all other hope is gone,
our Father in Heaven provides the Lamb of God,
and we are saved by his sacrifice.”
Dallin H. Oaks