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On the Theophania
Eusebius of Caesarea, tr. Lee, 1843
The third cause of (His) death was, the redemption that is (taught) in hidden (mystical) …
The third cause of (His) death was, the redemption that is (taught) in hidden (mystical) terms, which are these in effect: He was the sacrifice which was consigned to death, for the souls of the whole race (of man): the sacrifice (I say) which was slain for the whole flock of mankind: the sacrifice turning (men) back from the error of Demons. The sacrifice therefore,—the great offering, and that which was superior to all (other) sacrifices,—was the Body of our Saviour which was sacrificed as a Lamb, for the whole race of mankind: and it came up for the souls of all the nations that had been held in the impiety of their forefathers, the error of the Demons. And thence, the whole impure and unholy power of Demons was destroyed; this whole vain and earthly system of error, was instantly dissolved and ruined by a superior power! He therefore who was, from among men, the sacrifice of Redemption,—the bodily Vessel of the Word of God,—was sacrificed for the flock of all mankind. And this is He, who was, by the accusation of men, delivered up as a sacrifice to death; of whom the Divine words exclaim, speaking at one time thus: “Behold! The Lamb of God: behold! He (it is) who taketh away the sins of the world.” And at another, thus previously enouncing: “As a Lamb He was led to the slaughter; and, as a sheep before the shearer, He was silent.” And the same (Divine word) teaches the cause, saying: “Truly He underwent our sufferings, and bore our pains; but we considered Him bruised and stricken of God, and humiliated. He was slain because of our sins, and was humbled because of our iniquity. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes are we healed. All we have strayed like sheep, and (each) man has turned to his part; and the Lord has made to meet in him the sins of us all.” This bodily vessel therefore of the Word of God, was, for these reasons, sacrificed. But He, the great High Priest who officiates as Priest to God, the King of all, and Lord of all, is another distinct from the sacrifice, (viz.) the Word of God, the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God: He too, after no long time, raised mortality from death, making him (so raised) by participation, the beginning of the redemption of us all, and of that immortal life which is with God. Him too, (thus) vested with the mark of victory over death, and the deeds of the Demons; of those human sacrifices which had been delivered down from ancient times, did He constitute the Destroyer, for the sake of all mankind. Hence also was the name of Messiah (Christ) given to Him; which, among the Hebrews, attaches in like manner to the chief priest. He therefore received the two names: the name of Jesus, implying the sacrifice of salvation; and that of High Priest, the Word of God, who officiates as Priest for us all:—the custom of the Hebrews intimating (this) of the Messiah (Christ.)