The Easter Lamb

by Fran Caffey Sandin

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! Revelation 5:12 ESV

Normally on Easter Sunday morning I arrive early at church to practice a rousing organ rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. The year 2020 was very different as we watched our pastor online due to the Covid-19 virus lockdown. Now, in 2022 we will meet again together at church and rejoice that Christ the Lord is Risen. Hallelujah!

When I recently read about the Jewish sacrifices (Tamid), I found it both interesting and related to Easter. The Lord told Moses: “Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day regularly. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight”(Exodus 29:38-39 ESV). Just think, a 24-hour sacrifice, every day.

Now imagine the temple in Jerusalem during the time of Christ. At 6 a.m. the priest entered the Lamb Chamber to inspect and select the one-year-old male lamb without blemish. At 9 a.m. the morning sacrifice began. The chief priest cut the lamb and sprinkled its blood on the altar as a covering for people’s sins, a temporary solution to an ongoing problem.

Then the priest placed the lamb on the fire, and its flesh ideally represented the people yielding their hearts and their wills in submission to God. Their daily worship service included reciting the Ten Commandments, reading from the Psalms and prophets, and music. Just imagine the sights and sounds, not to mention the smells, as all this took place.

One morning outside Jerusalem at a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was hung on a cross for crucifixion. His charge read THE KING OF THE JEWS. He was mocked, spat upon, and placed between two robbers (Matthew 27:29-30, 33, 37-38).

Then darkness fell over the whole land from noon until 3 p.m., when, with a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The heavy tapestry veil in the temple separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where only the high priest was permitted to go, was torn from top to bottom (Exodus 27:33; Matthew 27:51). God was now personally accessible and desired fellowship with all mankind.

Meanwhile, back in the temple that day the sacrifice continued burning. At 3 p.m. the second lamb (called the twilight sacrifice because the Jewish day began in the evening) burned all night. It represented the purpose of staying close to God.

The word Tamid means continual, daily, perpetual, always, and forever. In those six hours, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jesus became sin for all. His blood became a covering for every sin, every need, every moment, every problem, and every answer. He became the fulfillment of the Tamid.

Death and the grave could not hold him. Jesus arose! His resurrection occurred on the day of the Jewish Feast of First Fruits. Hallelujah!

Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude that You loved us so much You sent your only Son to sacrifice Himself and shed His own blood to cover our sins, to forgive our sins, and become our mediator to access Your throne of mercy. When we receive His gift of grace and forgiveness, He lives in our hearts today. To God be the glory! In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Information in this devotional has been summarized from two sources:

Michal E. Hunt. Jesus and the Mystery of the Tamid Sacrifice. Agape Bible Study (Fishers, IN: 2016)

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn. The Book of Mysteries (Frontline 2016)

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Fran is a retired nurse, organist, mother, and grandmother living in Greenville, Texas. She has authored See You Later, Jeffrey, Touching the Clouds, and has contributed to thirty books. She and her husband, Jim, have traveled to many countries and states. Her latest book, HOPE on the Way, Devotions to Go— contains 52 devotionals for those who love to combine faith and adventure. HOPE on the Way was acknowledged for outstanding Christian Literature both in the Devotional and Christian Living sections by Joy and Company in Arlington, Texas. Visit Fran’s website at www.fransandin.com.

Join the conversation: What part of Easter inspired you most this year?