The Old Testament a religion of sacrifice
Abel
Moses
All Jews
The OT sacrifices foreshadowed the sacrifice of Christ
(Zech. 13:7; Mk. 14:27; Dan. 9:25,26; Isa. 53; Lk. 24:46)
Christ's Thoughts (The Gospels)
Jesus recognized Himself to be the ultimate sacrifice (Mk. 8:31)
"His baptism to be baptized with," and "His hour was come" (Lk. 12:50; Jn. 17:1)
He was troubled by His coming ordeal (Jn. 12:27,28)
He knew His sacrifice was inevitable (Jn. 18:11)
New Testament Writers
Writing about Christ's last week on earth and
His sacrifice on the cross (Matthew: 40%; Mark: 60%; Luke: 33%; John: 50%)
Paul (Gal. 2:20; 6:14; 1 Cor. 1:22-24; 2:2; 15:3)
Elsewhere in the NT (Heb. 9:26; Rev. 5:5,6,12)