Is righteousness imparted or imputed?…

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

Hebrews 9:22 …without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sins…

John 1:29 …Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.

Matthew 26:28 …this is the blood of my covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

The passover was instituted as a memorial to the work of God in delivering His people, Israel, from the land of Egypt.  It symbolized the “passing over” of the sons of Israel as the final plague of death descended upon the land.  It was to be commemorated annually as a reminder of not only God’s power, but also His faithfulness in redeeming His people.

In 70 A.D. the Herodian (2nd) temple was destroyed by the Roman army and Judaism has not had a place to consistently conduct the passover sacrifice since that time.  However, this month, a group of Jewish priests were able to conduct the ancient ritual (I couldn’t find out why now).

Here is a link to the video (help! the link has disappeared, if anyone tracks it down let me know)  of the sacrifice.  I warn you that it is necessarily graphic.  If you do not wish to see a lamb being slaughtered, please do not access the link.

I think for those of us who are visual, it is a really helpful reminder of the price of sin.  It costs life.  Because you and I sin, because we are sinners, death is called for.

As I watched the video, I could not help but feel compassion for the innocent lamb.  How much more for the innocent Lord of Creation Who humbled Himself and became obedient even to the point of death.