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Matthew 26:47–27:66; Mark 14:43–15:39; Luke 22:47–23:56; John 18–19

Dying to be Born Again

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(1.) FIRST EARTHLY BIRTH INSTRUCTED TO BE BORN AGAIN: 
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The atonement symbolism of the Messiah’s death and resurrection begins with Adam and his immersion, an act of being born again. "As an everlasting covenant, baptism began on this earth with Adam and has continued ever since . . . It was not a new rite introduced by John the Baptist . . ." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Pg.71)

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(2.) ABRAHAM & ISAAC – BOTH POWERFUL ATONEMENT SYMBOLS: 
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Abraham being saved and subsequently Isaac being saved from premature death are some of the most direct symbols of the Savior’s atonement. Abraham’s life was chiastic: first to be offered as a human sacrifice and then to be saved, later to be commanded to offer his own son as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah – and then to have him saved. All this was to teach us that God, also on Mount Moriah, was to offer his Son as a sacrifice to save us all.

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(3.) "IT’S NOT ABOUT YOUR SON, IT’S ABOUT MY SON:" 
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Abraham and Isaac apparently knew that Isaac was a symbol of God's firstborn son. A substitute was found as a ram in the thicket. Ever since, other substitutes were offered as a symbol of Him who would pay for our sins as we repent. From that time on, other , always firstborn and unblemished, were sacrificed on Mount Moriah, always on the . (Leviticus 1:11)

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(4.) EVEN THE CRUCIFIXION SITE IS A SYMBOL: 
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Today on the stands an abandoned quarry with caves that give it a grotesque skull-like look. The Place of a Skull, (Golgotha from Hebrew), is where the Firstborn, Lamb of God, was sacrificed. (John 19:17) The remarkable symbolisms of time, places, and events have of Israel.

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5.) MOUNT MORIAH, A PLACE TO TEACH ABOUT THE ATONEMENT: 
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The Savior will return to the house of the Lord on the Temple Mount (Moriah) and restore it as a place of worship and teaching. He will bring the Jews and the Moslems, who venerate ancient Abraham, across the bridge connecting ancient symbolism with the atonement. ". . . the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple . . ." (Malachi 3:1) All people will then be able to recognize His purpose, His ultimate mission . . . "To this end was I born."

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