18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.
The Law of Moses calls for the best or the first to be sacrificed to God. The covenant wasn’t asking for leftovers from those who identified themselves as the people of God. No, the Law demanded that God receive the firstfruits. Even in our redemption, He demonstrated that best was to be offered as a sacrifice, pure and undefiled.
Peter says that the Lamb of God was a “lamb without defect or blemish.” This sacrifice was perfect. Peter also equated the blood to be “the precious blood of Christ.” He shares that the blood is the means for us being redeemed, reconciled unto the Father Himself by His own sacrifice of His Son.
I like the simple way Peter puts it here in 1 Peter, but the best description of the “perfect sacrifice” is between Isaiah 53 and Hebrews 10:1-18. While Isaiah provides the prophecy that reveals the “man of sorrows” who suffered for the sinful and became sin for us, Hebrews chapter 10 gives us a clear picture of ritual sacrifice turned into redemption and reconciliation by the power of God.
But He was pierced because of our transgressions,
crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on Him,
and we are healed by His wounds.
Isaiah 53:5 (HCSB)
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