Because He So Loved – Comparison of Isaac and Jesus based on Genesis 22

Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son because he loved God more than anything or anyone else. God did sacrifice His Son because He loved us more than anything or anyone else.

One and Only Son - Genesis 22:2 / John 3:16

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus is God’s one and only Son, just as Isaac was Abraham’s only son by Sarah. Isaac was nearly sacrificed on a mountain, while Jesus was sacrificed on the hill of Calvary.

 

 

The Donkey - Genesis 22:3 / Matthew 21:1-7

Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

⁵ “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, knowing He was coming to die

 

Two Commoners - Genesis 22:3 / Luke 23:2-3

Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

Just as Isaac is walking between two common servants, so Jesus was hung between two common thieves

 

Carried the Wood of Sacrifice - Genesis 22:6 / John 19:17

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife.

Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).

Jesus carried His cross up Mount Calvary, just as Isaac carried the wood for his sacrifice up the mountain.

 

The Lamb - Genesis 22:7-8 / John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Peter 1:19

 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

⁸ Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

John 1:29 - The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Corinthians 5:7 - For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

1 Peter 1:19 - but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb that God has provided for us to take away our sins.