The wave of victory

by | Feb 4, 2012 | 2012 | 0 comments

When visiting Jerusalem many years ago, I came across a children’s clinic named Talitha Cumi.

What a wonderful name for a childrens’ clinic, I thought. The very words Jesus spoke to Jairus’ little daughter when he raised her from the dead (Mark 5:41).

This little girl, as well as Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, and the son of the widow of Nain were all raised from the dead before Jesus’ own resurrection. They walked the earth as ordinary flesh and blood human beings and are yet to experience another resurrection.

Thinking back to the days of ancient Israel, another scene came to mind. I visualised men being sent out at the beginning of the barley harvest by the High Priest to the largest and best field of barley near to Jerusalem. The owner of the field walked with them, and after some discussion the farmer pointed to a patch with the fattest ears of barley softly waving in the breeze. A bundle was cut, tied into a sheaf and carried to the Temple where it was to be “waved before the Lord so it will be accepted on your behalf”…(Leviticus 23:11). This was done to prepare for the celebration of the festival of first fruits during the first month of the Hebrew calendar. This festival typified the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the meantime, the other symbols of this amazing festival day were being prepared. A lamb, perfect and without bruise or blemish, was to be sacrificed as a burnt offering together with four and a half litres of fine flour and oil, and one litre of wine as a drink offering. While the Israelites diligently carried out God’s commands, were they thinking of the Messiah to be raised from the dead and presenting himself to God the Father? Probably not.

Many centuries later, on a Sunday morning before sunrise, a woman named Mary Magdelene hesitantly approached the tomb of the One she loved more than life – the One who had done more for her than anyone else. He was the One who gave her dignity when others would rather have stoned her to death. Her body trembled in sorrow. If only she could have one last look at him!

A voice spoke gently behind her as she peered, weeping into the tomb.

“Mary!” Such deep tenderness in that word. “Rabboni!” she cried, joy exploding inside her as she recognised Jesus. She turned to embrace him, but Jesus cautioned her gently. “Do not hold onto me for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them “I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God’”(John 20:17).

What she had not realised was that this particular Sunday was the ultimate day of the Wave Offering. At last the momentous day which these rituals had foreshadowed for over a thousand years, had arrived! The sheaf, representing Jesus Christ was waved before God and accepted on our behalf. In her agony she overlooked the fact that Jesus was to rise on the third day (Luke 24:6, 7). He had to enter the pure light of the presence of God the Father. Then he would return to conclude the unfinished business of preparing the church to preach the gospel throughout the world.

The perfect lamb, sacrificed on the same day as the Wave Offering pictured the sacrifice of Christ. The flour and oil blended together represented the Word (Jesus) thoroughly blended with the Holy Spirit. The wine of communion unites us with the Lamb of God. Those obediently carrying out God’s command back in ancient Israel, were acting out his plan of salvation for all mankind.

And when he returns in all power and glory he will take the first fruits – both the living and the dead in Christ – and wave them to complete purity in the marriage of the Lamb – atoned to be one with him and with the Father and Holy Spirit.

Yes, the wave offering truly pictures the ultimate victory!

 

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