A Biblical Parallel

It is interesting to read through the Old Testament searching for those parallels that occur in the New Testament. One such parallel was found in reading Genesis chapter thirteen. This piece of Scripture has a “Jesus” aspect to it.

The summary of the passage is describing a quarrel between Abraham and Lot’s servants since there was not enough land for both to share their herds. Abraham settles the dispute by asking Lot to choose one set of land, offering to take whichever portion of land Lot did not choose for himself.

This was an immense reminder of what Christ did for us. Just as Abraham made a sacrifice to end strife between the servants, Christ made a sacrifice for us to end all strife between us and God.

“For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” -Colossians 1:19-20

By giving up His own rights and dying for us, He gave us the the opportunity to choose between heaven and hell.

Just as Abraham is blessed because of his decision, Christ is blessed because of His decision to die on the cross. The Blessing of Christ is the biggest blessing of all; His name will be exalted above every name in heaven and on earth.

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” -Philippians 2:8-10

Another parallel in this section of Scripture, God tells Abraham; “All the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.” (Genesis 13:15-16)

Because of the living sacrifice of Jesus, we are made children of God, and therefore the offspring of God. Also, because of what Jesus did, God’s “offspring” will be plentiful.

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” -Romans 8:16-17

Lord, let us continue to see Your face in Your Word!