The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, so that when I see the blood I will pass over you, and this plague will not fall on you to destroy you when I attack the land of Egypt.
Exodus 12:13
Into the Text
Moses faithfully followed God’s directions. Along with his brother Aaron, they went to Pharaoh and asked for the release of the Israelites. Unfortunately, there was a common refrain from Pharaoh: “No.”
Though Pharaoh exercised his power as ruler, God was going to show him who truly was the ultimate ruler. He did this through sending a series of ten plagues: water turning to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn.
These plagues would cover the land of Egypt. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he continued to reject Moses’ request and ultimately God.
The last plague was the death of the firstborn son of every household. But God in His kindness provided a way for the people of Israel to escape this tragedy. If a family killed a lamb and spread the blood over the doorpost, the angel of death would pass over the house. This was the first Passover.
Just as the angel of death passed over the houses with the blood of the lamb, we, too, have a sacrificial lamb that saves us from death: Jesus Christ. He is known as the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). His blood covers our sin so that through faith we can be forgiven and have a new life. Praise God for our true sacrificial lamb!
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for willingly giving up your life for my sin and the sin of the world in order to be the true sacrificial lamb. Help me to daily live in gratitude. Amen.