Blogging Through The Season - Day 8

BLOGGING THROUGH THE ADVENT SEASON
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
DAY 8 -
Abraham- The Perpetual Mirror of Christ
Abraham’s life was prototypical of Jesus. It is a perpetual mirror when compared. As the federal head of the covenant of God, Abraham is known as the Father of many nations, whilst Jesus is the Savior of all nations. Both exhibited undying faith in God, and both were called to leave their homes and experience total change i.e. new surroundings, new family, friends, and culture. Yet they both persevered and overcame extreme circumstances that would have defeated others.
Abraham like the Redeemer, functionally “had nowhere to lay his head.” This prototypical stranger and foreigner left his family and friends and ventured to a land not knowing “whither he went”; whilst Jesus left Heaven for Earth giving up his Godhood to be born in a stable and grow up as a carpenter’s son. Both showed unfaltering obedience which resulted in countless blessings for us today. Abraham’s covenant with God saw him using circumcision to further strengthen his trust in God, not man; but it was only an outward sign. Today, we are blest because of Jesus’s covenant with God the Father. Because of Jesus’s covenant, we are able to have our hearts circumcised thus ensuring eternal life.
Both God and Abraham were willing to sacrifice their only begotten sons. In Abraham’s situation his obedience to God’s command to sacrifice his Son Isaac, saw Isaac trusting him completely just like Jesus trusted God on the cross. When it seemed like all hope was lost, God provided Abraham a lamb to be sacrificed in Isaac’s stead. Likewise, when it seemed like all hope for mankind was lost, God provided a sacrificial lamb in the form of His Only Son Jesus to die for our sins.
Abraham watched his son Isaac climbing the hillside with the wood on his back. God also saw Jesus carrying the cross to Mount Calvary to give eternal life to all families of Earth. Finally, I want us to recognize that Abraham’s obedience to God came with the knowledge that by willingly sacrificing his son Isaac---his only heir, he would be surrendering his future and lineage. God the father’s willingness to sacrifice His only son Jesus, also showed His willingness to risk the future of the entire universe, because of love. As sons, both Isaac and Jesus demonstrated what huge rewards--love, trust, obedience, and faith in carrying out instructions can reap.
In summary, Abraham was a type of Christ, his sacrificial dedication to God’s purposes reflected the very character of a God who was willing to give His utmost to save the world. Let us look forward with grateful hearts to commemorating Jesus’s birth this Advent season. Let us demonstrate a renewed understanding of what His birth and ultimate sacrifice granted us. Let us rejoice in the freedom to experience eternal life with Him by believing and accepting this truth. May God continue to bless us through the coming season, and grant us renewed peace, love, and continued health in 2024 and beyond.