The Old Testament prototype of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross is the offering of Isaac. Abraham (the father) offers Isaac (his only son) as a sacrifice:
“Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you’” (Gen. 22:2)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John. 3:16)Isaac carries up the mountain that on which he is to be sacrificed:
“So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together” (Gen. 22:6)
“So they took Jesus and led Him away. And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him” (John. 19:16-18)Abraham laid Isaac on the altar:
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?” (James. 2:21)
“Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death” (Act. 2:23)On the Cross, as on an altar, the salvation of mankind is accomplished:
“and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity” (Eph. 2:16)