The Passover:
The First Basic Essential for Redemption —
An Unblemished Lamb
Exodus 12: 1-13

Introduction

The Passover deals with the judgment of God and the deliverance of God.

=>  The Passover deals with the judgment of God upon the unbelievers of this world, upon the evil oppressors and the ungodly and unrighteous of this world.

=>  The Passover deals with the deliverance of God, His deliverance of all who believe in and diligently follow Him.

The importance of the Passover can never be over-stressed. It was without question the most significant day in Israel’s history. Grasp the magnitude of what God was doing in the Passover:

=>  God had a plan to save and deliver His people, all of them.

=>  God had a plan to judge the evil and brutal Egyptians while protecting His people, every one of them.

=>  God had a plan to show every future believer the importance of the blood of the Passover Lamb.

=>  God had a plan for the forgiveness of sin, every sin that Jesus Christ would willingly take upon Himself.

The subject of this great passage is: The Passover: The First Basic Essential for Redemption — An Unblemished Lamb, Exodus 12: 01-13

I.   The significance of the Passover feast: the calendar was changed — Passover month was to begin Israel’s year (vv. 1 -2).

II.   The persons to observe the feast (vv. 3-4).

III.   The lamb’s qualifications (v. 5).

IV.   The lamb’s sacrifice (vv. 6-l1).

V.   The lamb’s purpose: to be a substitute in death for believers (vv. 12-13).

I.   Exodus 12: 1-2   The significance of the Passover

The Passover was the most significant event in Israel’s history, so significant that God used the Passover to change the very calendar of Israel. Passover was an event that was different from all other events in Israel’s history: it marked the very night when God delivered His people...

•   from the slavery of the Egyptians (the world)

•   from the plague of death

The Exodus from Egypt marked a whole new way of life for God’s people. Thus God wanted their new way of life marked with a significant event, an event that would always stir them to remember the Passover, the great night of His deliverance. How could God do this? By giving them a new calendar. Their new year was to begin during the very month of the Passover. From then on, the first month of Israel’s year was to be the month called Abib, which corresponds to today’s March-April. In Palestine, these were the months that began Spring. The word Abib means “young head of grain” which pictures the new “life-giving nature of springtime.” Note: Israel switched calendars after the Babylonian exile (586 BC). They switched to the Babylonian calendar which observed the new year in the Spring, the month of Nisan (Est 3:7; Neh 2:1).

Thought 1. Passover marked a new beginning. The old year was suddenly broken off, a new year was begun. This is true of conversion: the person’s old life is suddenly broken off; a new life in Christ is begun. A person who believes in Jesus Christ, in His sacrificial death for them...

•   passes from death to life

•   passes from the judgment of God to the acceptance of God

The person’s conversion becomes the greatest day of his life. He turns away from his old life and begins to live a new life, walking toward the promised land of God.

Ezk 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Mat 18:3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Gal 6:15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.

Eph 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Col 3:9-10 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices. And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Thought 2. The beginning of a new life for the Israelites was marked by a new calendar. Likewise, the life of Christ is marked by a new calendar. The climax of His life was His resurrection from death. When He arose, He arose to new life, a life that was to live eternally in the glory of heaven. Such an event astounds the world, so much so that the world measures its seasons and history from the date of His birth.

II.   Exodus 12: 3-4   Passover, A Family-Centred Feast

Who was to observe the Passover feast?

1.   The whole congregation of Israel. Note that Israel was called a congregation (edah). This is the first time this term is used in Scripture. The term is used over one hundred times to refer to the people of God who gathered together either to worship the Lord or to hear the Word of the Lord.

Note this fact as well: there is also another Hebrew word for congregation (qahal). This word is often used in Deuteronomy and in the Prophetic books and is said to mean the same as the New Testament Greek word for assembly or church (ekklesia). Obviously, when God looked upon Israel, He saw the persons who truly believed Him, the true believers scattered all over the nation, and He called them His congregation of people.

2.   Each family, each household was to celebrate the feast of Passover. Each household was to secure one lamb on the tenth day of the month. Note that the Passover was family-centred. J. Vernon McGee says this:

When Israel entered Egypt, it was as a family. When they made their exit from Egypt, it was as a nation. The interesting point is that God puts the emphasis on the family here because the family comprises the building blocks out of which the nation was made.... An old cliche says, “No nation is stronger than the families of that nation.”

The Israelites have become a nation and God is going to deliver them, but He will do it by families and by the individuals in the family. There was to be a lamb in every house.

3.   Small households were to share their lamb with neighbours (v. 4). J. Vernon McGee has another excellent explanation of this particular point:

This verse does not say anything about the lamb being too little for the household. This would not happen; the lamb is sufficient. It is possible, however, that the household might be too little for the lamb. God is interested in each individual member of the family. Each family was to have a lamb, but what if a man and his wife were childless or had married children who lived apart from them? This couple is then supposed to join with a neighbour who is in the same position and divide the lamb. Each individual in each family is to receive a part of the lamb. The celebration of the Feast of the Passover is to be a personal, private matter. It is redemption for the nation, yes, but it centres in the family. It must be received and accepted by each individual member in the family. The Passover is a family affair.

God is presenting the modus operandi by which He is going to save individuals. No one is saved because he is the member of a nation or a family.... each member of [a] family made a transaction with the Lamb; each had to partake of the Lamb....Every member had to exhibit his faith in this way.

...Each one [had] to participate and partake of [the lamb] in order to come in under the protection and the redemption of the blood that is out on the doorpost of the house.

Thought 1. The importance of the family focusing upon the Lamb of God cannot be overstressed. Parents must take the lead in drawing their children around the Lamb of God, Christ Himself. This has been God’s instruction from the very beginning of human history.

Deut 4:9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Deut 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deut 31:12-13 Assemble the people — men, women and children, and the foreigner residing in your towns — so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of the law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

Jos 8:35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.

2 Kng 12:2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

Psa 34:11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Prov 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart.

Prov 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Isa 28:9 Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast?

John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs [little ones].”

2 Tim 1:5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

2 Tim 3:15 And how from infancy you [Timothy] have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

III.   Exodus 12: 5   The Passover Lamb’s Qualifications

What were the qualifications for the Passover lamb? God laid down very specific qualifications for the lamb that was to be chosen as the Passover lamb (v. 5). The lamb...

•   was to be one year old, that is, in its prime

•   was to be without blemish or defect, that is, perfect

•   was to be either a sheep or a goat

The lamb had to be as stated: one year old, in its prime and without any blemish or defect whatsoever. This was the law laid down by God throughout Scripture. The point being made was this: God is perfect, perfect in holiness and righteousness. Therefore, whatever is given to God must be perfect in order to be acceptable to Him.

Lev 22:21 When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the Lord to fulfil a special vow or a freewill offering, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable.

But note the problem with the gifts of sacrifice offered by the Israelites. The same problem exists with the gifts and sacrifices we offer to God.

Heb 9:9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.

Any honest and thinking person knows that we can never be perfect, not absolutely perfect. How then can we ever be acceptable to God? By faith in the Perfect Lamb of God, the Son of God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. God accepts and counts our faith in His Son as perfection. We are not perfect and never will be, but if we believe — truly believe — in the perfect Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, God counts our belief as perfection. He justifies us, counts us as though we are sinless. This is the wonderful mercy of God.

=>  The believers of old believed the promise of God, that the blood of the unblemished lamb would save them. Therefore, God accepted the believers’ faith in His promise and counted the believers as acceptable to Him.

=>  The believer today believes the promise of God’s Son, that His blood cleanses us from all sin and makes us acceptable to God. Therefore, God accepts our belief in Christ and counts us perfect and acceptable in Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Thought 1. The Passover lamb was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1)   The Passover sacrifice was to a be a lamb or a young goat. The lamb was a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God Himself. Note this: Jesus Christ was not only the promised seed and Saviour who was promised to Abraham and his descendants, not only the promised seed and Saviour who was to come and save the world — Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God Himself, the Lamb of God who was to be slain for the sins of the world. Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God symbolized in the Passover lamb. This is exactly what Scripture proclaims.

John 1:29 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 1:36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

1 Pet 1:18-19 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.

Rev 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Rev 12:11 They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink form death.

Rev 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast — all whose names have not been written in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty four thousand, who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.

Rev 15:3 And sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvellous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of ages.”

Rev 19:9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Rev 21:22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

2)   The Passover lamb was to be one year old, in its prime. Jesus Christ offered Himself up while in the strength and vigour of life, not as a child, nor as an elderly person.

3)   The Passover lamb was to be without blemish or defect. Jesus Christ was without blemish or defect. He knew no sin whatsoever; He was the perfect Son of God.

Isa 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

John 8:46 “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?”

2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin.

Heb 7:26 Such a high priest meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Heb 9:14 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!

1 Pet 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Pet 2:22 He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

1 John 3:5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.

IV.   Exodus 12: 6-11   The Sacrifice of the Passover Lamb

The instructions governing the lamb’s sacrifice were also very specific (v. 6).

1.   The lamb had to be slaughtered and it had to be slaughtered at a very specific time: at evening on the fourteenth day of the month (v. 6).

Thought 1. Note two clear symbols.

(1)   Symbol 1: the lamb had to die, to be slaughtered. This symbolizes that Jesus Christ had to die: it was necessary that He die. Why?

(a)   Because the penalty for sin is death; the penalty for our rebellion and insurrection against God is death.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rom 8:6 The mind of sinful man is death.

James 1:15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Rev 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.

Prov 29:1 A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed — without remedy.

Ezk 18:4 The soul who sins is the one who will die.

(b)   Because there can be only one way to escape the penalty of sin and death. Someone — a perfect and sinless person who is acceptable to God — has to step forward and do two things for us:

=>  Take the penalty of our sin upon Himself

=>  Pay the penalty for our sin

Isa 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Heb 9:28 So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

(c)   Because God the Father predestined the death of His Son, predestined that the way of salvation and redemption would be by the blood of the cross.

Acts 2:22-23 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Ga1 4:4-5 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

Heb 9:22 In fact the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

(2)   Symbol 2: the lamb had to be slaughtered at a very specific time. This symbolized that Jesus Christ had to come to earth and die at a particular time, that His death and the time of His death were set by God. God sent His Son to earth in the fulness of time.

Mark 1:15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Acts 2:23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

Ga1 4:4-5 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

1 Tim 2:5-6 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time.

Heb 9:26-28 But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

2.   The blood of the lamb was to be smeared on the sides and tops of the door frames (v. 7). If a person believed God — believed that God would save the person behind the blood — the person would smear the blood on the door frame. If the person did not believe God, he would not smear the blood. The person’s faith in God — in His Word, in the blood — saved him. This is exactly what Scripture says:

Heb 11:28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

Scripture declares the glorious truth of substitutionary death: the sacrifice and its blood symbolizes the substitution of one life for another. The lamb and its blood were offered as a substitute for the believer.

Lev 17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.

Thought 1. This symbolized the covering of the blood of Christ. We must make sure that we ourselves are covered and that our homes, our entire families, are covered by the blood of our Lord. Jesus Christ died for us. He is our Substitute in death: He died for us: He sacrificed His life for us.

Mat 26:28 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Rom 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

1 Cor 5:7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast — as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.

Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God [hid in the death of Christ].

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Heb 9:22 In fact the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Heb 9:28 So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation.

1 Pet 1:18-19 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 Pet 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

1 Pet 3:18-20 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.

1 John 1:7 The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Thought 2. The blood smeared on the door frame was a public profession. Neighbours, friends and family — all clearly saw that a person believed God and believed in God’s Word, His promises and His coming judgment. This is a strong challenge to us: that we bear witness to Christ, that we proclaim openly and unashamedly that we believe in God’s promises and in His coming judgment.

Mat 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always [even], to the very end of the age.”

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 4:20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.

Acts 5:20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.”

Titus 2:15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Isa 63:7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us.

3.   The believers were to roast and eat the meat. They were also to eat some unleavened bread and bitter herbs (v. 8). Again, note that the Passover was family-centred: the family was to eat the Passover together, to worship and celebrate the feast together.

Thought 1. This particular point symbolizes three things.

(1)   The eating of the Passover lamb symbolizes that we are definitely to eat (partake, assimilate) the merits of Christ’s death, that we are to partake of the death of Christ.

(2)   The unleavened bread symbolizes righteousness, we must eat, partake of, the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 6:50-58 “But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”

(3)   The bitter herbs symbolized the bitter days of Israel’s slavery (see Exo 1:14). This is a picture of our enslavement to sin. The horrible days of our enslavement to sin are never to be forgotten. Our hearts are to be constantly broken over sin.

John 8:34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”

Rom 6:16-18 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey — whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thought 2. What a lesson for the church: to be family-centred! But how many churches are really family-centred? How many programmes and activities of the church place the family together? How much of the church is organized and planned to separate and divide the family? How much focuses upon the togetherness of the family? Are there churches who contribute to the division of the family?

4.   The believer was to roast the whole animal over a fire: its head, legs, and inner parts. The animal was not to be eaten raw nor cooked in water (v. 9). Note that the lamb was prepared in a very specific way, with very specific instructions. No other way was acceptable.

Thought 1. This symbolizes that the death of Christ was specifically spelled out. Thus, we must accept Christ exactly as He was prepared and offered by God. There is no other way to be saved, no other way whatsoever. Some people may consider the blood of Christ repulsive, disgusting or offensive. They may even reject the death of Christ as the way by which man becomes acceptable to God. Nevertheless, God is very specific: there is no other way to God, no way except by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Mat 26:28 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

John 8:24 “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Rom 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Rom 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Heb 9:14 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!

Heb 9:22 In fact the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Isa 53:10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

5.   The believer was to let no food remain until morning. He was to burn whatever was left (v. 10).

Thought 1. This symbolizes that all of Christ is to be eaten (assimilated, taken in, digested). Nothing of Christ is to be left out: not His cross, not His demand for self-denial, not His righteousness. We are to digest all of Christ into our lives, all of His righteousness and teachings. We are to follow Christ in everything.

Rom 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

1 Cor 5:7-8 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast — as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

Col 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him.

Heb 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

6.   The believer was to eat in haste and to be dressed, ready to quickly walk out and march toward the promised land (v. 11). The believer was to waste no time in separating from Egypt and beginning his new life of freedom.

Thought 1. This symbolizes that we are to eat, partake of, Christ quickly. We are to lay hold of the death of Christ immediately. The hour is urgent: now is the day of salvation. We are to immediately accept Christ, rush away from the world and begin our new life, our new life marching to the promised land of heaven. We are to live as though Christ might return today.

Mat 3:2 And saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Mat 24:44 “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Mat 25:13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

Mark 13:35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back — whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.”

2 Cor 6:2 I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.

Acts 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

Rev 16:15 “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

Rev 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”

Deut 30:15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.

Deut 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

1 Kng 18:21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.

Josh 24:15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

V.   Exodus 12: 12-13   Purpose of the Passover Sacrifice of the Lamb

What was God’s purpose for the Passover lamb? In substituting the lamb’s death for the firstborn of Israel? Just this: God was symbolizing that there had to be a substitute in death for the believers. The purpose for the Passover lamb concerned two things (vv. 12-13).

1.   The first purpose concerned judgment. God was to execute judgment upon Egypt (the world), including both man and animal, and also upon all the false gods of Egypt (v. 12). Remember the Egyptians were an idolatrous people who had rejected God ages before. They wanted to live like they wanted and do their own thing. Therefore, they wanted nothing to do with the righteousness demanded by God. They turned to the worship of false gods, the false gods of man’s imagination. The result was terrible: they created gods in their own image, gods that allowed them to live like they wanted: selfish, immoral, greedy, covetous, unrighteous lives. The Egyptians became what we all become when we reject the only true God of righteousness, the Lord God Himself (Jehovah, Yahweh): they became an evil people. They were a people who trampled other people under foot, enslaving them and brutalizing them. They had even enslaved and launched a holocaust against the very people who believed in the only true and living God, the ancient Israelites. The Egyptians had reached the point of no return, the point of never repenting. Therefore, God was about to execute judgment upon Egypt, a judgment that would fall upon all Egypt, including all the people, animals and the false gods worshipped by the people.

Num 33:4 Who were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had struck down among them; for the Lord had brought judgments on their gods.

Note: by judging the firstborn of animals, God was striking at the very gods of the Egyptians. Remember, they had imagined and created gods that were closely linked to various animals of the earth. Thus God was striking a death blow to the so-called gods by striking dead the firstborn of all animals. The gods of the Egyptians were powerless to stop the judgment of God. The judgment demonstrated that the fancied gods of Egypt were false gods, that the people were actually following a false, worthless and empty worship (see note, pt. 6, Exo 7:8-11:10). Thus the Passover concerned judgment. How could a person escape the judgment of God? How could a person stir God to pass over him and his family? By faith. Note the next point.

2.   The second purpose of the Passover Lamb concerned faith, belief in God: the blood of the Passover lamb smeared upon the door posts was a sign that a person believed God. The blood caused God to pass over and not condemn the believer (v. 13).

Simply stated: if a person believed God — really believed — he would smear the blood on the door posts of his house. If he did not believe God, he would not smear the blood. As in all situations, some persons believed God and some did not. Some escaped the judgment of God and some did not. Scripture even tells us that some of the Egyptians and perhaps other nationalities believed God and joined the Israelites (Exo 12:38).

Thought 1. Several lessons can be learned from this point.

(1)   The person who does not trust Jesus Christ shall face the judgment of God.

John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

John 8:24 “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”

Acts 17:31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed [Jesus Christ]. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

Rom 2:16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

(2)   The people’s faith in the blood saved them. Our faith in the blood of Jesus Christ saves us. Note that the Israelites were not saved because they had godly parents nor because they were living good, honest and moral lives. Neither are we. We are all saved by the blood of the Lamb, saved because we believe that the blood of the Lamb covers our sin.

Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Rom 5:8-9 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Heb 9:14 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!

Heb 11:28 By faith he [Moses] kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

Rev 1:5 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.

(3)   The blood of the sacrificed lamb symbolized the substitution of one life for another. The blood of Jesus Christ symbolizes our death, if we truly trust His blood to cover us. We are redeemed when we trust the blood of Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 5:7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast — as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Heb 9:12-15 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 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!

Heb 9:22 In fact the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

1 Pet 1:18-19 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.

Rev 5:9-10 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

(4)    The Lamb of God alone takes away the sins of the world.

Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

John 1:29 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 1:35-36 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Thought 2. J. Vernon McGee has an excellent application on this point:

God said that when he saw the blood, he would pass over that home. The blood was not some mystic or superstitious sign. A great principle runs all the way through the Word of God that without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. In other words, God cannot arbitrarily or big-heartedly shut His eyes to sin and do nothing about it, any more than can a judge today when the guilty are brought before him. The judge should apply the law to the guilty, and the penalty should be paid. Part of our problem in America today is the laxity in law enforcement. But God’s law is inexorable in the universe — “The soul that sins, it shall die.” The death sentence is upon all of us. But God is gracious, and an innocent life may be substituted for the guilty. Up until Christ came, it was a lamb. Then Jesus was “...the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29). If we receive Christ, we are saved from the judgment that we deserve as sinners. (J. Vernon McGee Thru the Bible, Vol. 1, p. 239) ♣

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