In Numbers 19, the sacrifice required for when a person comes into contact with death is explained. The sacrifice was a very rare red heifer with no defects. Jesus was pure, holy, innocent of any and all evil and sacrificed Himself for us on the cross. Jesus beat death once and for all when He shed His blood for us on the cross. The sacrifice is burnt in its entirety. Jesus crushed all sin, guilt, and shame in their entirety when He took our place on the cross. Cedar, a hyssop branch, and some scarlet yarn are also burnt with this offering. Jesus was offered vinegar wine on a hyssop branch when He died on a wooden cross for us. The hyssop branch represents cleansing and purification. The scarlet thread is woven throughout Scripture and represents the blood Jesus shed when He died in our place on the cross. This offering is sacrificed outside the camp, just like Jesus who was crucified outside of Jerusalem. The ashes of this offering are kept and used to purify the water which is used in purification. The water is represents the Holy Spirit - the living water, and the Word of God - the living Word. Both of which we consume when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Jesus saves our souls, the Word saves our minds and purifies us through the Holy Spirit, and through the holy, glorious power of God, our hearts are forever changed.
