Exodus 12:12-13
For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
1 Corinthians 5:7
Tuesday: Passover; Exodus 12:1-13:42;
Symbol - Lamb
Passover is about so much more than just the Israelites many years ago. It describes the experience of the entire human race.
When Adam and Eve sinned, they left the Promised Land, just as Jacob and his family had done, to go live in the world/Egypt...a land ruled by many gods. Quickly, the human race become bound to the devil with the chains of sin. Like the Israelites, they cried out for a Savior.
Now God is a just and fair God. Evil must be punished. In Matthew 25:41, Jesus teaches about the reality of hell. He warns that hell is an eternal separation from God. It is a place of impenetrable darkness, uninterrupted pain, and unquenchable fire. He also warns that those who reject Him will spend eternity there.
The lake of fire was created by God to be the eternal destination of satan and his fallen angels. When Adam sinned against God, his destiny changed, along with the destiny of mankind. He no longer had access to the presence of God.
In Egypt, God's judgment came down upon the gods of the land and upon the people who worshipped and sacrificed to them. Thus, in both scenarios we see impending judgment on those who have sinned and aligned themselves with satan.
However, just as the Lord, in His infinite grace, provided a sacrifice for the Israelites in Egypt, He provided a sacrifice for all the people of the world. A lamb...a perfect, spotless lamb.
Jesus was that lamb. "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29
The blood of the lambs was used as a covering for the people of Israel in Egypt. "Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down." Exodus 12:22-23
Just like the Passover lamb, the blood of Jesus Christ covers our sins and saves us from the ultimate judgment of the Lord God.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 1:5-6
The above commentary on Exodus is part of a 4-week Advent Reflection for the Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree is similar to an advent calendar. Every day you will read a Bible passage to your child(ren), discuss what it means to them in personal terms and color an ornament to hang on your Jesse Tree. A fuller description of this can be found at The Jesse Tree
When you are finished today, you might want to discuss how Christmas is about giving much more than getting. One way that your family can give is through their daily prayers. This might be a good time to pray for a specific country or for a group of people who do not know about Jesus. Today, over 2 billion people, 1/3 of the earth's population, have never heard the Gospel message. They do not know that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the only way that they can be saved from Hell. We need to pray that they will hear about Him and follow Him.
Two great websites to help you do this are:
Operation World go to Featured Nation and click on Country Profile
Some of the churches in Charleston that are using a Jesse Tree as part of their Advent celebration are: Charleston Sanctuary
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