Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month
 each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…

Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month,
 when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
 Then they are to take some of the blood
 and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs…

 On that same night I will pass through Egypt
 and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals,
 and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt.
 I am the LORD.
  The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are,
 and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.
No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
Exodus 12:3, 6-7, 12-13

 

The book of Exodus chronicles the story of God freeing His people from bondage in Egypt. But it’s a narrative that tells a larger story—one that resonates for all of us for all time.

Egypt represents sin and bondage. We are all held captive by our own sin … all in “Egypt” in one way or another: pride, selfishness, anger, lust, greed, idolatry, adultery, gossip, hatred, lying, stealing, cheating, gluttony, ad infinitum.  The list is endless, and no amount of striving, working, getting up early, staying up late, reading a new book, or finding the right therapist can release us from the grip of sin.

Sin owns us. But God wants to free us.

Freedom for the Israelites came on Passover night. Exodus 12 instructed each family to take a lamb, then to take care of it. They were to bring it into their home. The family would get to know it, as they loved it, fed it, cared for it—and when it came time to slit the throat of that animal and smear its blood over the door frame, it would be difficult. The lamb was real. It was known. The act of taking its life would be very personal … exponentially more difficult than going to the marketplace and purchasing an unknown lamb.

God’s instructions were clear: The blood must be there on Passover night for that family to be protected when the angel of the Lord would pass over.

By an act of faith, the Israelites believed God.

By an act of faith, the Israelites painted their doorframes red with the blood of their beloved lamb.

Their faith resulted in their salvation; they were set free from bondage. Their exodus to freedom is recorded in Exodus 12:51.

The Old Testament sacrificial system required something to die for someone to live. Hebrews 9:22 confirms, “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness…”

Sin must be atoned.

Death would bring life.

Sobering thoughts, but as we prepare our hearts for Easter, we must reflect solemnly on our sin, so we can celebrate the One who died to save us from it. Jesus, our Passover Lamb, freed us from ourselves.

Is His blood painted over the door of your heart?

When judgment day comes, will the angel of the Lord pass over you—not because your list has been fixed by you, but because Jesus blotted it out by his blood?

I’m praying that Passover prompts sobering thoughts and transforming conversations for you and your family, as you prepare your hearts for Easter this year.

 

 

Editor’s note: As you prepare to celebrate Easter with your family, we want to come alongside and equip you to do that.

First, we hope you’ll download our free Easter Border Sheets (the PDF includes both manuscript and cursive versions). Choose a special verse for Easter — perhaps one from this month’s LAMB-themed Write the Word list — and encourage your children to write God’s Word, then share their special creation with a neighbor, family member, nursing home resident, or someone else.

In addition, our sponsor, A Reason For, has packaged a selection of Easter-themed books
from their Reading program and is making them available at a
special, limited-time price with free standard U.S. shipping included.
These readers make wonderful gifts!
We hope they will equip you to teach the truths of Christ’s resurrection
to your children, grandchildren, or other young ones you love.
Please note: there is a limit of FOUR book sets per order with free shipping.