III. What were the concomitants or it
III. What were the concomitants or it
What accompanied the waving the first-fruits, were a burnt-offering, and a meat-offering. (14) The first of these was an eminent type of Christ, as all the burnt-offerings were. It was a lamb: a figure of Christ the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. A Lamb without blemish: a type of the immaculate Lamb of God. This was a burnt-offering; so a fit emblem of the dolorous sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then there was a meat-offering, which always went along with this; which was typical of Christ, as we have seen in a former discourse (Sermon 20). I shall close all with a word or two.
From hence we see the great advantages we receive from Christ, He is the first-fruits, and all our fruit is from him. This remarkable type in a particular manner points out the many benefits we receive from the sufferings, death and resurrection of Christ, who was apprehended, beaten and scourged: who endured the wrath of the Almighty, and that in our room and stead. The fruits of which are, our redemption from the curse of the law, the remission of sins, peace and reconciliation with God, pardon of sin, and justification. Many are the advantages also accruing to us from the resurrection of Christ. Our justification is owing there-unto; he rose again for our justification. Our regeneration is in virtue of it; we are begotten to a lively hope of a glorious inheritance by the resurrection of Christ from the dead. The resurrection of our bodies in the last day are insured hereby; because he lives we shall live also. And therefore many are the obligations we lay under to give thanks unto his name and not forget his benefits. We ought, through the constraints of his love, to live to him who died for us.
And how much ought this night to be observed in which we are about to commemorate the sufferings and death of a dear Redeemer! As it is said of the night of the passover, when the Israelites were in such a remarkable manner delivered and saved. It is a night to be much observed in all generations; so the night in which the antitypical sheaf of the first-fruits was reaped, in which our Lord was apprehended; in which he was betrayed; in which he was brought before the great Sanhedrin and there condemned. The consequence of which was, his sufferings and death; which laid a foundation for the everlasting salvation of all that believe in him, it is a night to be much observed in all the churches of Christ until the second coming of our Lord.