Jesus: The Lamb Who Died for Our Sins, and Who Then Clothed Us in His Righteousness

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7)

I reread this passage a few days ago.

It was interesting to me how the prophet writes that Jesus, our Passover Lamb, was lead to the slaughter, then he compares him to a sheep about to be sheared.

In shepherding, a sheep is sheared first, then slaughtered.

Why was the order reversed in this passage of Scripture?

Remember, Isaiah is talking about Jesus, our Savior.

He is also expounding on all that Jesus did for us:

"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." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

God the Father instituted an incredible exchange for everyone of us at the Cross!

He took our sins, and gave us His righteousness!

Jesus' death on the Cross ensured the shedding of His blood, which cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7, 9).

Then Jesus gave us His righteousness:

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)

Shearing of sheep produces wool, which in turn forms robes, clothing, and other textiles.

Throughout the Old Testament, righteousness is presented as a robe!

"I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem." (Job 29:14)

and

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)

In Zechariah's prophesy to Joshua, the Angel of the Lord gives Joshua a new garment to replace a filthy coat that he is wearing:

"Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." (Zechariah 3:3-4)

And even in the New Testament, we see linen as a picture of Jesus' cleansing work in our lives, making us righteous:

"After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." (John 13:5)

Towels, made with hte wool of a sheared sheep!

When we medidate on the Finished Work, let us remember that God's Ways are not man's ways. Jesus died for us sins, and by doing so He could then accord to us His righteousness.