January 31 – Today’s Readings – Exodus 10-12
Today I want to spend some moments reflecting on Chapter 12 of Exodus. What we find here is the Jewish “Passover” at its inception. Israel was about to be “saved” from the Death Angel, but the only way of escape was to take a precious “pet” lamb, and shed it’s blood. This blood was to be applied on the sides and top of the doorway of the house. One lamb per household was to be used and all family members were to stay in the house, eating the lamb they had become so attached to. Just imagining this scene and the deep emotions the family must have felt brings a queasy feeling to the pit of my stomach. This was an innocent, playful animal which had probably been named by the children, and may even have snuggled in bed with them at night. He was already part of the family – close and personal to each one who ate the meal.
Here’s the kicker – God In The Flesh (Jesus) is our Passover Lamb. His execution was unfair and unjust. He was executed as a common criminal, yet He was the most precious, innocent, wonderful human being who ever lived. No wonder His disciples were so filled with grief when He willingly offered up His body for them. His blood was shed because the consequences of sin was separation from God. Though this is incomprehensible through the “natural mind”, the death of Jesus was the “only way” for us. You see, in the spiritual realm, there are spiritual laws – one of them states, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) Sin is the very essence of separation from God and spiritual death. Genesis 2:17 reads, “but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” When Adam and Eve disobeyed the only command God had ever given them, they set in motion a spiritual separation from God for all of creation.
Here then is the most wonderful parallel to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross in the entire Bible. We find that the Passover Lamb’s blood was shed to save Israel from sin and certain death. We see that the Whole Lamb (not just the parts they preferred ) had to be eaten and become part of them. We know that the Passover was very much a household event and that within that spiritual house there was spiritual protection. Those who “ate” the Lamb were God’s people, either by birth or adoption. The Lamb became the great dividing line – the line of salvation. Think of it – your spiritual covering relies on the condition that you are “under the blood” and “in the house”. Praise God for His great spiritual covering!
To those who “ate His body and drank His blood”, God granted adoption as sons and daughters. No wonder John the Baptist prophesied, “behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. (John 1:29) No wonder Jesus said, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life within you”. (John 6:53)
Questions:
1. Are there any “parts” of the Lamb of God that you have so far refused to consume?
2. Please comment on what “the Passover” means to you.