Let’s talk about the Hyssop branch.
Yes the hyssop branch.
We first hear about the Hyssop branch in Exodus 12:22. This is the passage where Moses is instructing the Israelites to our lamb’s blood on the door to save them from the 10th and final plague. I believe this particular plant was used because it acted like a sponge or paintbrush. Nonetheless, the hyssop branch is now introduced to us in one of the most iconic Old Testament bible scenes.
We them read about the hyssop branch in Leviticus in Numbers. It’s used for ceremonial cleansing of sin. Lev. 14:6, Num 19:6 and 19:8. What seems like an insignificant detail of using a hyssop branch is actually symbolic to the Israelites as it points back to their great Exodus from Egypt and slavery.
Then jump ahead to John 19:29. The culmination of the hyssop branch. The soldiers dip a hyssop branch into the sour wine for Jesus Christ who now hangs on the cross. The blood of the lamb on the doorpost saves the Israelites from the death of the first born. It was a sacrifice. The apostle John calling upon the hyssop branch detail when writing about the crucifixion of Jesus would take the Jewish people back to that time in Exodus, the saving blood of the Passover. The sacrifice of the first born. They now see this as a symbolic moments, the fulfillment of scripture. Just as the hyssop branch was used in the first Passover to provide the saving grace for the Israelites from death of the firstborn, here they see the ultimate sacrifice of the first born to provide them the everlasting saving grace.
The hyssop branch is symbolic, it helps connect scripture. It’s referenced in Psalm 51:7 to purify and cleanse from sin. Some even would take hyssop baths as a personal ritual for the cleansing of sin.
A hyssop branch does not saves us. Faith only does that. We see it now as a great reminder of God’s story for us. The connections between old and new. The telling of the messiah. The fulfillment of the scriptures. It’s in these details that we may deem insignificant that are telling of how detailed the word of God is. It’s not just a story. It’s a book grounded in history written with great detail to save souls.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching…” 2 Timothy 3:16
