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Jubilee and the Crucifixion of Christ
“Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the Day of Atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.” (Leviticus 25:9)
The Jubilee trumpet could not be sounded, liberty could not be proclaimed, the yearlong Jubilee Sabbath rest could not begin, until the passover sacrifice was slain, atonement was made, and the blood of the lamb was sprinkled on the mercy-seat. — Why? Why did the Lord God specifically require that the Year of Jubilee must always begin on the Day of Atonement?
No Blood, No Grace Israel was taught by this requirement, and we are taught by it, that no blessing, no mercy, no grace can come down to sinners from heaven, except by the merit, efficacy, and accomplishment of Christ’s blood atonement. His blood must be poured out upon the cursed tree, his blood must be sprinkled upon the mercy-seat, his blood must be accepted in the holy place, he must come forth out of the tomb without sin unto salvation, he must ascend to the throne of God and sit down, before grace can come down to sinners. Salvation is altogether by God’s free grace. But God’s free grace comes to us only through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. —“Without shedding of blood is no remission.”
Done from Eternity Does that mean that no grace was ever given to sinners until two thousand years ago, when Christ died and rose again? — Of course not! This great work was finished in the mind and purpose of God before the world began. It was done from eternity. The work was “finished from the foundation of the world” (Hebrews 4:3). Christ, the Lamb of God, was slain, his sacrifice was accepted, and all God’s elect were justified, sanctified, and glorified in him from everlasting (Revelation 13:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Romans 8:29-30). It was a work executed in time by the wisdom, providence, and grace of our God; but it was done from eternity.
Crucifixion at Jubilee So precise and detailed is the order of God’s providence, that even the cycles of the solar system were set by him, and are maintained by him, so that the Jews and Romans, with their wicked wills, crucified the Lord of Glory (according to the calculations of those who calculate such things) at the time of Passover, at the time of the evening sacrifice, in the place where God required the sacrifice to be made (Jerusalem), in the Year of Jubilee! That makes Acts 2:23 a little more astounding; doesn’t it? This work of redemption by God our Savior shall be the matter of our souls’ amazement, contemplation, and joy to eternity.
Don Fortner
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