◄ Identification With Him ►

He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
Luke.24:45

We are not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
1Pet.1:18-19

Word Pictures

What beautiful word pictures we are given in the Old Testament – written illustrations that give greater understanding of the New Testament. A pattern of obedience; an example of disobedience; a warning to those who follow afterwards – an admonition to us that we should live godly lives. But there is so much more than that. A narrative to be studied – a historical record, which combines to open your eyes and warm your heart. What beautiful word pictures we are given in the Old Testament. Each a beautiful representation of Him. Each a precious portrait of the Lord – an old testament type or character, of the Lord Jesus.

His Story

Scripture reveals a painted representation of Him, from the genesis of His-Story. You search the Scriptures, and yet these are they which testify of Me, He told us in John.5:39. We see Adam and his bride, taken from his side, bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Abel.. and his sacrifice; Enoch, who faithfully walked with God; Jacob, who left his home to go into a far country to find a bride; Isaac, the beloved son of the father – Isaac, the bridegroom of his own gentile bride.

Scriptures Types

Joseph.. betrayed by brothers, yet Joseph the Saviour of his family. Moses.. the man of faith, who reminded the Jews that… the LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me. Acts 3:22. Boaz, the gracious kinsman-redeemer, and David, a man after God’s own heart. David, the sweet psalmist of Israel who penned Christ’s words from the cross:- my God, my God, why have You forsaken Me? Psalm22:1  Daniel, beloved of God, “This is my beloved Son. And Jeremiah, the prophet who wept over Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you would not! Luke 13:34

Full Testament

All tiny glimpses of the completed type of the lovely Lord Jesus, Himself. All highlighting but one small facet of the glorious whole. All displaying but one small, cut surface of the polished face of the sparkling 'diamond'. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Romans 11:33. No wonder the two on the Road to Emmaus cried:- Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened to us the Scriptures? Luke.24:32. Yes ALL scriptures:- ” are they which testify of Me…” John.10:25

Christ’s Sacrifice

The Israelite – an example of old, would lay his hand on the head of the sacrifice.. a symbolic gesture - a complete identification with the victim to be offered. A total identification with the oblation was pictured here – a full transferral of trespasses, as sins passed from the sinner to the sacrifice. The innocent animal was to die. The guiltless creature was offered in the stead of the sinner. The life of the sinless beast was thus to be fully accepted – fully accepted as the life of the sinful man.

Innocent for Guilty

And day after day the bloody ritual would signify covered sins for another day – a life for a life, which meant innocent death in order for the guilty to live. But now Christ has died on Calvary having offered one sacrifice for sins forever. All we needed to do was to identify ourselves with Him. All that was required was to trust Him as our Sin-Bearer. All we need to know is that in so doing we are accepted by God – just as He is accepted by God.

Innocent Victim

By His sacrifice of death, we too are saved from death. By His spilled blood poured over our sins, we are redeemed by His blood, and by so doing He identified Himself with us – the sin-soaked, guilty malefactor; by so doing we were identified with Him - the pure innocent Victim.

My faith would lay her hand,
On that meek head of Thine,
While I a penitent I stand,
And here confess my sin.

2-Way Identification

God’s grace united us with His death.. making His death full payment for our sins. Our faith identifies us with Him now.. making His sacrifice efficacious on our behalf. This is full identification with Him. This is a two-way identification… I in Him – and He in me. He identifies with me – a sinner worthy of eternal death. I identify with Him – a pure innocent, redeemed by His blood and secure in His love.

2-Way Transfer

But wait….. identification means more. His death not only made possible the wonderful pardon by the transfer of sins. His death/life has also made necessary the transfer of His sovereignty to us. Our old sin nature for a new position in Christ.. a new creation. Old things have passed away – behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. For you were bought at a price; the blood of Christ, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit – which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20. Hence He must surely become our sovereign Lord. He must truly become our Master as well as our Saviour. We are thus called to commit ourselves, spirit, soul, and body to God. We are to commit ourselves to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely.. and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Full Identification

Because we are in Christ, we are committed to God as was the Lord Jesus. Because He is in us, we submit to His gracious leading and working in our lives. He has promised to keep all.. all who respond to Christ’s self-giving, by giving ourselves wholly to Him. He was the innocent sacrifice that was nailed to Calvary’s cross. He was the willing victim, Who spent His life and shed His blood for me. He identifies with me that I might be forever forgiven. Should not I fully identify with this blessed Saviour and Lord, every moment of my life, forever and ever, AMEN.