Wood on his back - by Elizabeth Reynolds

II was just really blessed this evening when I was reading the story of Abraham and Isaac to Beth from "The Jesus Storybook Bible". It's quite a confronting story - especially when reading it to a two-and-a-half year old. You know, the one where Abraham is about to kill his own son as a sacrifice on a bed of fire-fuel up on a mountain top...
This story, to me, has always been remarkable, and I have known for a long time the imagery and analogy of Jesus behind it all. But in this particular book, that connection is worded in a particular way that, as I said, really blessed me tonight, and I hope it also blesses you. It explains how Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice on his back on their way up the mountain, and then later, to end the story, it says...
Many years later, another Son would climb another hill, carrying wood on his back. Like Isaac, he would trust his Father and do what his Father asked. He wouldn't struggle or run away. Who was he? God's Son, his only Son - the Son he loved. The Lamb of God.
Isaac didn't know what was ahead for him as he and his father, whom he loved and trusted, made their way up that hill. But Jesus knew exactly what he was walking up His hill for. He trusted his Father like you wouldn't believe and chose to walk up that hill, even though he knew what was waiting for Him at the top.
And just like the ram that God provided for Abraham to die in Isaac's place, just in time... Jesus shows up for us - just in time - and chooses to die. So that we don't have to.
It's an age-old story which we all know very well I'm sure. But I pray that you can reflect on it again as you read this and be blessed with fresh understanding and revelation.