By: Juliet Constantine
Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. (Exodus 12:3-4)
They were instructed to commemorate the Feast of the Passover on the tenth day of the month of Abib/Aviv as a memorial of God’s deliverance from Egypt. Many might not have remembered and the newer generation certainly would not have known if this memorial wasn’t instituted. That fateful night, the Israelites, in obedience did as Moses instructed. They got the lamb for their household and some shared with their neighbors; used the blood to mark the lintel and door posts; and ate the roasted lamb in haste while they were all dressed and ready to leave. Throughout the night there was wailing everywhere in Egypt, except in those homes that had the blood on the lintel and door posts. The death angel had visited and all first born, from man to beast was dead. Surely, Pharaoh would allow these Israelis to leave to worship their God.
Can you imagine if some hadn’t bothered to take a lamb as instructed; thinking that a goat or pigeon would do? Do you think any type of blood would do? Certainly not! Even the age of the lamb was specific. This instruction was to be followed straight down to the letter. No variance would be overlooked. And still continuing as a memorial the same instruction was followed down through the ages. But this is how it all started.
After Adam and Even sinned, God himself killed a lamb and used the skin to cloth the original pair. He then instructed them that a lamb was the only acceptable offering as it symbolized their final deliverance from sin. They were showed how to kill the lamb and apply its blood. This they taught to their children, especially the boys, as they grew. A Lamb was needed; not vegetables or fruits. The blood of the lamb came to symbolized Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. And it is still the blood of the Lamb that cleanses us from our sins. Do you have a lamb? Jesus came into this world for one reason only – and that was to be our Lamb. Of all the other things He had to do, being our Lamb was His main assignment; and He completed it with style. He had to die! We needed His blood for our cleansing. And the only way possible to get it all was to kill Him. Just as how the sinner killed the lamb for the Passover Feast, so we killed Jesus so that His plan to save us could continue. Jesus became as a lamb to the slaughter and He did not open His mouth. He was happy for our ultimate reunion.
Have you gotten your Lamb yet? You need Him because you need the blood! Only the blood of Jesus can cleans from sin. We no longer celebrate the sacrificial systems and the Feast of The Passover Supper because we believe that Jesus was the fulfillment of these Mosaic laws. Jesus’ blood can cleanse you of every stain and defilement of sin. His blood has never and will never lose its power. His blood will give you strength from day to day to live the victorious life. Have you gotten your Lamb yet? This holiday, as you celebrate, ask yourself these questions: Have I gotten my lamb yet? Is the blood applied to the lintel and posts of my heart’s door? Are all my sins forgiven? If your answer is ‘yes’, Jesus Christ did not die in vain. He is your Lamb.
The blood of Jesus shall never lose its power.
Oh my Father, may I always seek to keep Jesus, not only as my Lamb but also as Lord of my life. In His name I pray, amen.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
