“So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son” (v. 13).

It could have ended differently.

God—the only Holy Sovereign God—could have demanded Abraham’s obedience all the way to the awful conclusion. If it were God’s will, then the sacrifice of a son would be worth it, because this God is worthy.

It could have ended differently.

But it didn’t.

Abraham’s God—our God—is on the side of life. He is merciful. And, when His own worthiness stands in demand of a right human offering, He Himself provides what is suitable.

A substitute.

May this stirring account ever stir you toward gratitude for the Gospel. When any other sacrifice could be expected—and where no other sacrifice could be effective—God has provided a Substitute. His Lamb—our Jesus—has been given. The mercy He showed on Abraham’s mountain is ultimately realized on the cross of Christ.

We ought to have been the ones sacrificing. It could have ended differently.

But it didn’t.

— Tyler