“Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year…And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel (crosspiece) and the two doorposts with the blood…for the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel (crosspiece) and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you…” (Exodus 12:5,22,23)
What a remarkable representation of Christ is found in this Old Testament passage. The children of Israel have been enslaved by the Egyptians, held in cruel bondage. God has heard the cry of His children and has appointed Moses as the one who would lead them out of Egypt, to set them free from their captors. When Moses reluctantly asked who should he say has sent him to accomplish this task, the Lord said, “Tell them that I AM that I AM has sent you.” I AM that I AM…I AM everything you need Me to be!
Remember, God is in covenant with these people – rebellion and all. Therefore, because of His promise, He must make a way for their deliverance. He sent plagues to torment the Egyptians. Didn’t work. Pharaoh didn’t budge. It was only through the blood of a sacrifice that the Israelites would be set free. A sacrificial lamb had to be chosen, one without blemish – perfect. The blood of this lamb on the doorpost would keep the destroyer away as it passed through the night seeking to destroy the enemies of God. The blood protected the Israelites and set them free.
The BLOOD protects us and sets us free.
When the Blood of Jesus covers the doorposts of our heart, deliverance is ours. Our chains are broken; the sting of death is no more. Jesus is our Passover Lamb. He is the atonement for our sins – He sets us free.
Did you realize that at Jesus’ last supper with His disciples, they had actually gathered to celebrate the Passover meal? This was right before they went to the garden of Gethsemane, before the arrest and crucifixion. It set the stage for the coming miracle of resurrection. In actuality, Christians celebrate Passover during this Holy Week, just like our Jewish brothers and sisters. The common threads we share is nothing short of amazing. God’s word endures forever.
Father, I am so thankful for the Lamb of God who takes away all my sins. Help me remember what Your Son, Jesus, went through for me so that the destroyer would pass over me. Thank you for my Jewish brothers and sisters. I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, in Jesus’ name.