One of the greatest prophecies in Scripture was spoken unwittingly when Caiphas said, "You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish." (John 11:49-50)

Caiphas thought he was stating that the position of spiritual and minimal political authority for the Jewish religious leaders could be preserved only by executing Jesus, who was a threat to the authority of both Jerusalem and Rome. He was thinking entirely practically.

But the truth of Caiphas' words was deeper. Jesus would taken on the covenant curse that was due to the nation of Israel for violating the Law. "But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people..."

(Genesis 17:14) That first warning to Abraham was followed by 27 similar warnings of being "cut off" for various offences in the Mosaic Law. It represents the ultimate covenant curse, which was earned by everyone under the Law...except for Christ, who kept it perfectly.

Circumcision, the cutting off of the male foreskin, symbolized in large part that a male descendant of Abraham would be cut off for the people. He would take the covenant curse upon himself and impute his perfect obedience to them.

The prophet Isaiah predicted this when he wrote, "And as for His generation, who considered
/ That He was cut off out of the land of the living
/ For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?" (Isaiah 53:8)

So Christ did die for the people, but the benefits are not received only by Abraham's physical descendants. The benefits are received by Abraham's spiritual descendants, those who have faith in Jesus Christ.

"For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all..." (Romans 4:16)

To Abraham's children of faith new signs were given that pointed to the work of Christ. 1) Baptism, the sign of regeneration, dying and rising with Christ. 2) Communion, the sign of Atonement, receiving the saving body and blood of the Lord.

So be grateful today for the work of Christ, and be thankful that you partake of covenant signs which point not to a curse, but a blessing. We no longer look forward, but back. We bask in the greatness of Christ's sacrifice and rejoice in our assurance.