Shadows:

The sometimes shadowy silhouette of Jesus permeates scripture, but often only the Holy Spirit can point Him out to you.  Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us that God spoke to His people long ago "through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son (who is) the radiance of God's glory".  In John 8:12, Jesus Himself declares, "I am the light of the world", and we all know that bright lights cast big shadows.  In John 14:9 Jesus tells us further that "whoever has seen me has seen the Father".  The "shadows" of our Lord therefore, also reveal the image of the Father.

One of those "shadows", or "various ways" in which we glimpse the revelation of the Father's heart can be seen in the Law given to Moses.  The Law has many beautiful and symbolic features which foreshadow Jesus, but there is one provision in the Law, one tiny detail that may escape notice.  This one minor stipulation in the Law is the beginning of a thread that runs throughout scripture which, because of it's subtle origins, makes it's careful inclusion all the more God-like and precious.  It reveals God's heart and His love of completeness.  It also wonderfully portrays Jesus' mission to earth on our behalf, that of a willing servant who was pierced, purchased and proffered as a substitutional sacrifice for our sins.  It is truly a Holy Spirit-woven masterpiece.

Pierced:

Exodus 21:5-6 and Deuteronomy 15:16-17 detail a procedure whereby a Hebrew servant (slave) may freely choose to forgo the impending freedom he has rightfully attained (via the Law's provisions) in order to remain with the one he is presently serving.  It is a simple act of loving sacrifice that lasts a lifetime!  To prove his sincerity, the servant must allow the very one that he loves and wishes to serve to pierce his ear through with an awl and fix it to the doorway of the house.  This servant, pierced through for love, is a shadow of our Lord.

In Psalm 22:16, David actually prophesies the scene beheld by the eyes of Jesus as our Lord hung on the cross when he writes, "they have pierced my hands and feet." What David saw was the Creator, the servant of us all, pierced through for us out of love.  Isaiah also witnessed that crucifixion day when, in Isaiah 53:5, he sees that Jesus "was pierced for our transgressions."

We see the fruition of these prophecies in the gospel account of John 19:34 where a Roman soldier pierces Jesus' side with a spear and the issue of water and blood spills forth.  Jesus was pierced for us that day on Calvary, pierced hand and foot, pierced in His side, pierced through His heart out of love for those He came to serve.

His own people didn't even recognize Him then, but someday they will.  Zechariah 12:10 peers into the shadowy future, to a time when Jesus will return and the veil in the minds of the Jewish nation will suddenly be removed as they finally "see" Him as their Messiah.  They will gaze upon "the one they have pierced, and they will mourn (for Him)" because the full realization of their rejection of Him will emerge from shadow to reality.

Purchased:

Jesus' betrayal at the hands of Judas was, ironically, just a business transaction; and yet it was so much more.  The ear piercing ceremony of Exodus 21 was a provision created especially for a Hebrew servant or slave.  Although obviously human, slaves were legally classified only as property, chattel, to be bought, sold and traded.  Exodus 21:32 sets the official price of a slave at 30 shekels of silver; a handful of simple coins.  Matthew 27:3-10 relates the sad tale of Judas, our Lord's betrayer, who received 30 pieces of silver as payment for Jesus' life.  Remorsefully, Judas attempted to return the coins, but the hypocritical Pharisees saw fit only to purchase a field with it rather than "stain" the temple's treasury with "blood money".  Even this seemingly innocuous action was prophesied in Zechariah 11:12-13.  The price for the life of Jesus was the price for the life of a slave - a mere handful of 30 silver pieces for the Creator of Heaven and earth.

Proffered:

In speaking to His twelve disciples, Jesus told them in Matthew 20:28 that " . . the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life . . ".  Just as the Hebrew servant who relinquished his freedom and was pierced with love, so too did Jesus "(make) himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant . . " (Philippians 2:7), "that though he was rich, yet for your (our) sakes he became poor." (2 Corinthians 8:9).

In Romans 15:8, Paul informs us that "Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth ".  In John 13, Jesus donned servant garb and performed the most menial of tasks as an object lesson; He washed His disciples feet.  In John 15:13 He told them that "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends".  The Hebrew servant gave up his life, his freedom, to serve the one he loved; so too did Jesus.

Good Things:

"The Law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming . . " (Hebrews 10:1).  Surely Moses, David, Isaiah, Zechariah, Matthew, John and Paul saw through the shadows and glimpsed Jesus Himself.  The same Holy Spirit that patiently and lovingly guided them to see the Lord wants to guide you too.

Just as a Hebrew servant was pierced and fastened to the doorway of the one he loved, so too was our Jesus pierced and fastened to the cross - the doorway to eternal life, to salvation, the only doorway to Heaven, the home of those whom He loves and who love Him.  He was pierced for you - pierced through the heart with love.

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Pierced For Love

The Goodsoil Discipleship Ministry

By Bro. Andy Madonio

October 7, 1996

Introduction:

The one great, main theme of the Bible can arguably be cited as "Jesus is coming!"  This discipletter weaves a common thread through a great deal of scripture in order to point out that Jesus truly IS coming.

The reason for His coming is simply, love (John 3:16).

When at last we glimpse the servant heart in the center of our great Lord and King, we most certainly will be changed.

The Holy Spirit worked on me very diligently to get this one right, so please chew slowly and savor it all.  Thanks in advance.