Passover is Instituted
Exodus 11-13 “Christ is Our Passover”
The weak magicians had said to Pharaoh, “It is the finger of God,” yet Pharaoh continued in his stubbornness so God used plagues to awaken the Egyptian court. “Release the people so they may serve the LORD their God.” Pharaoh thinks he is God but this last plague will challenge his belief system and his words will haunt him later: “Who is the LORD that I should obey him….” God will show Pharaoh that He is the LORD and that He alone is God. Pharaoh sought to kill the male children, and now God will take his firstborn. Pharaoh’s gods cannot save him or his people because they are only idols.
In preparation, the Lord gives the Israelites, the plan for the Passover. The shed blood of the unblemished lamb sprinkled upon the doorposts and top frame pictured the cross to come. It covered and separated the “believers” (Israelites) from the “nonbelievers” (Egyptians). Christ, as our Passover, separates us and sanctifies us that we too may be holy to the Lord. The lamb was slain just as Christ was slain for us. When the Destroyer came, the blood protected. Christ’s shed blood protects each believer, for, “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.” [Heb 9:22] Chapter 12 closes with these words: “So all the Israelites did precisely as the LORD commanded…”
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