GOD's hatred of an improper sacrifice is seen very early in the narrative of man's beginnings. (see Gen.4:3-5) The LORD had respect (i.e.; gazed favorably upon) unto the sacrifice offered by Abel but had none for that brought by Cain. Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock, while Cain brought of the fruits of his own garden or field. Abel offered the fat of a lamb (i.e.; slew the lamb) upon which he bestowed no labor to create, while Cain brought that which was directly produced by his own effort. Ultimately, Cain was angry at GOD that his effort was rejected by HIM as a suitable offering. He then did what the children of darkness always do, which was to manifest his hatred of GOD by persecuting the children of the promise. The scriptures say that this has always been the case. (see Gal.4:29; I Thes.2:15; Heb.11:4; I John 3:12)
The LORD gave specific instructions to Moses regarding the acceptability of the lamb which was to be slain at the Passover and for the sin offering. (see Ex.12:5 ; 22:19-24). It was to be a lamb without spot or blemish, a first born of less than a year old. Only that which was unspoiled and untainted could ever be that which was acceptable unto the LORD. Of course it is plainly revealed in the scripture that GOD was never satisfied with the blood of lambs, bulls, or goats which could never really take away sin. (see Heb.10:4) No man's sin was ever expiated (i.e.; cleansed or taken away) by such sacrifices, but it pleased the LORD for a season to instruct the nation of Israel (and ultimately all of HIS elect) in the proper sacrifices in order that HE might set forth by type and example the ONE who would come in the end of the age to actually take away sin by the sacrifice of HIMSELF. (see Heb.9:8-15)
And so we see JESUS CHRIST who came into the world for the very purpose of bearing the sin debt of HIS people which were given to HIM before the foundation of the world, as that LAMB without blemish or spot. ONE who was already an acceptable sacrifice unto the FATHER since HE was ordained in eternity to be our sin-bearer in time (see I Pet.1:20; Rev.13:8). The significance of HIM being without spot or blemish is that HE was without sin, untainted and pure in HIS person and in HIS work. Some have taken the scripture which says, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2Cor.5:21) and concluded that HE actually became polluted with our sin in HIS own body. At the best this assessment is a wresting of the true meaning of the scripture and at the worst it is the most blasphemous charge that can ever be set forth and is unworthy to even be considered, if we understand HIS absolute holiness. In no way was the spotless LAMB of GOD ever tainted with our sin though HE was tempted in all points like as we are and had the full weight and condemnation of our sin laid upon HIM as our SUBSTITUTE and SIN-BEARER. The only way in which HE "was made sin" for us was by imputation which is an accounting term and has reference to the legal act of his taking the blame for our sin upon HIMSELF and satisfying the law in our behalf. Make no mistake that the suffering which HE bore was ours alone, HE was condemned by the law which we broke and HE suffered the penalty for that broken law in our behalf in order that HE might be just and the JUSTIFIER of those which believe in HIM. (see Rom.3:26) We see HIM as the SPOTLESS LAMB in that:
HE was ordained to this work before sin ever entered the world or man ever fell. HE is the GOD who changes not. The purpose for which HE entered the world was as our SUBSTITUTE. (see I Tim.1:15) HE was never an unacceptable sacrifice, either in eternity or in time. Had HE at any time actually been tainted or spotted with our sin in HIS person HE could not have been immutable, and having sin would have become an unacceptable sacrifice. Because HE was "without sin" is the very reason HE could take upon HIMSELF our sin-debt and be "made sin for us" by the transfer of our guilt to HIMSELF.
HE was born of a virgin. Not only was the lamb to be without spot or blemish but it was to be the firstborn. Actually this is but another mark of the lamb's purity in that it had not even shared the womb with another. In the case of JESUS CHRIST, HE was conceived by the HOLY GHOST in the womb of the virgin Mary. The sin of Adam is passed to all of his natural progeny by imputation (see I Cor.15:22 ) and all of his natural descendants share in his guilt and blindly follow in his footsteps gladly sinning. JESUS CHRIST was not Adam's offspring and therefore was "without sin" by natural generation or by imputation as the rest of humanity. HE was without sin except for the sin of HIS elect which was legally imputed to HIM in the same fashion in which HIS righteousness was imputed to them. (see Rom.4:6-8; Heb.9:28)
HE is a faithful HIGH PRIEST. The members of the Aaronic priesthood had to make offerings for their own sins as well as the people. But HE who was of the order of Melchisedec never had the taint of sin upon HIM in any sense, otherwise HE could not have gone into the holy place, where HE is now; ever living to make intercession in our behalf. (see Heb.7:11-28)
HE was laid in a new tomb. (see Luke 23:53) It was necessary for this to be done because the scripture said HE would not "see corruption" (see Ps.16:10) which literally meant HE would not be tainted by it. If as some say HE tasted the corruption of sin in HIS body and HIMSELF became corrupted what difference would it have made for HIM to be placed in a used grave?
HE gladly embraced HIS FATHER's will. Many assume that when HE prayed for the "cup" to pass from HIM that HE had reference to the prospect of crucifixion. I don't think that HE feared pain or death, since HE is the GOD of life and death. Many martyrs have gladly laid down their lives without regard to death, so this was not HIS dilemma. That struggle which gripped HIM was as the full weight of our sin debt was laid upon HIM, HE who desired to be pleasing in the FATHER's sight, knew that HE would have to become unpleasing in HIS FATHER's sight, bearing the guilt of our sin, condemned as a sinner, in order to ultimately fulfill HIS FATHER's will, which thing HE gladly did. (see Heb.12:2)
HE rose from the dead by HIS own power. Those that are in CHRIST whose bodies now sleep in tombs and ashpits around this world shall one day awaken to the sound of HIS voice. HE is become the firstfruits of them that slept. (see I Cor.15:20) There is no resurrection of life to those who are sinners (see John 5:29) but those who stand in the imputed righteousness of CHRIST shall be raised by HIS power over whom the grave and hell hold no authority for in HIM is no sin. "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." (John 14:30)
mam