Christ in the Old Testament

1 John 5:7-8

For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. (NIV)

Today’s Reading: 1 John 5:6-12

We are about to jump into Leviticus. But before we do, I would like to go back and look at some of the numbers we skimmed over that we find in the tabernacle. Numbers in themselves are not holy or particularly significant. Some cultures regard particular numbers as lucky or important regardless of where they show up in life. That is not true. Particular numbers only hold significance when God uses them. There are reasons why God chooses a particular number when any number will do. And it’s usually to point to something that is eternal. So let’s see what we can discover over the next few days in some of these numbers.

The number three is the first number we see plays a significant role in the tabernacle. Here is a list of occurrences:

• The tabernacle has three sections – The Holy of Holies, The Holy Place and The Court of the Tabernacle
• Three metals were used in the construction of the tabernacle and its objects – gold, silver and bronze
• Three liquids were used in the service of the tabernacle – water, oil and blood
• Three objects were in the Holy of Holies – The Ark, The Mercy Seat and the Cherubims
• Three objects were in the Holy Place – The Alter of Incense, the Lampstand and the Table of Showbread
• Three entrances – The Entrance Curtain, the Outer Veil and The Veil to the Holy of Holies
• Three types of sacrifices – of the herd, flock and fowl
• Three colors used in the curtains – blue, purple and scarlet
• The Lampstand had three branches on each side of the shaft
• Each arm of the Lampstand had three cups shaped like almond flowers
• The Bronze Alter was three cubits high
• The north and south sides of the courtyard each had three posts and three bases

Where else do we see the number three in Scripture?

• Jesus rose from the grave on the third day
• Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish
• The New Jerusalem has three gates on each wall

So why is the number three significant? The number three represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection. I believe that all these occurrences of three are pointing to the wholeness, completeness and perfection of our Triune God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We are made in the image of God and we were given a body, soul and spirit – three parts in one. Time is also three parts in one – past, present and future. Matter exists in three parts – solid, liquid and gas. We live in a three dimensional world – length, width and height. Creation was formed in three days and filled in the next three days. Jesus is prophet, priest and king.

Three permeates all of God’s creation. Three is also proof that Jesus is the Son of God and has given us eternal life. Let’s go back to Exodus chapter 29 for a moment. When Aaron was ordained as the first priest, he was washed with water, anointed with oil and the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on them. Every priest that followed Aaron would be anointed with water, oil and blood.

Now let’s jump to 1 John chapter five. John tells us that Jesus came by water, blood and the Spirit that testifies. Jesus is the final priest. His death tore the veil to the Holy of Holies so we could have access to God. But how do we know this is true? “For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement” (1 John 5:7-8).

This brings us full circle to the Triune nature of God. God testifies that Jesus is His Son at his baptism in the Jordan river (water). Jesus himself testifies that he is the Son by shedding his blood on the cross. And finally the Holy Spirit testifies that Jesus is the Son (oil). And because the three are in agreement, they testify that “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life.” So we can be confident that Jesus is the life and we also have this eternal life if we simply accept this testimony.

Today’s Prayer: Lord, thank you for weaving your nature throughout all of creation. Thank you for the gift of eternal life in your Son.