The Blood of the Lamb

The Blood that Saves: Understanding God’s Deliverance Through the Passover

Bible Passage: Exodus 12:1–14

Summary: Exodus 12:1–14 recounts the institution of the Passover, where God commands the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood as a sign for their deliverance from the impending judgment against Egypt.

Application: This passage teaches that just as the Israelites were saved by the blood of the lamb, Christians are saved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It reassures individuals of God’s deliverance in their own lives, encouraging them to trust in His provision in times of struggle and spiritual bondage.

Teaching: This sermon could teach about the significance of the Passover in God's redemptive plan, showcasing how obedience to God's commands leads to protection and deliverance. It emphasizes the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and faithfulness.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of Scripture, the Passover foreshadows Christ's sacrificial death as the Lamb of God. Just as the blood saved the Israelites, the blood of Jesus provides salvation for all who believe. The theme of deliverance through sacrifice connects both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting God’s continuous plan for humanity's redemption.

Big Idea: God’s deliverance through the Passover not only saved Israel from physical bondage but also points to the ultimate salvation found in Jesus Christ, the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider diving deeper into the symbolism of the lamb in Exodus and how it parallels with Jesus in the New Testament. Use your Logos library to explore commentaries on the significance of the blood in biblical covenants and its implications for theology surrounding salvation. It may also be helpful to study the cultural context of the Passover observance to understand its importance to the Israelites and its foreshadowing role in Christ's sacrifice.

1. Precise Plans for Protection

Exodus 12:1-4

Start by exploring God's specific instructions to Moses and Aaron. Perhaps highlight how God meticulously directs His people to ensure their redemption. You could connect this to the importance of obedience to God's word in our lives, suggesting that God's precise instructions are for our ultimate good. Maybe emphasize that our trust and reliance on God's guidance is crucial in experiencing His salvation.

2. Perfect Lamb, Powerful Blood

Exodus 12:5-7

Focus on the command to choose a perfect, blemish-free lamb. You could draw a parallel between the need for purity in the sacrifice and the sinlessness of Jesus. Suggest the importance of recognizing Jesus as the perfect Lamb who was sacrificed on our behalf. Maybe emphasize the significance of the blood, both in Exodus and in the New Covenant through Christ's sacrifice.

3. Partake and Participate

Exodus 12:8-10

Delve into the instructions regarding eating the lamb and the specifics of the Passover meal. Perhaps discuss the act of internalizing God's provision and how it signifies embracing what God has done. You could point out the significance of internalizing Christ's work and teaching in our daily lives, suggesting that believers must fully partake in the salvation offered to experience its fullness.

4. Prepared for God’s Passover

Exodus 12:11-14

Conclude with the urgency and readiness commanded by God, emphasizing the 'now' aspect of salvation. Maybe reflect on the memorial nature of Passover and its reminder of God’s deliverance. You could encourage believers to live in readiness for God’s interventions, recognizing and commemorating Jesus' death and resurrection as our continual, ultimate deliverance.

How does the Passover lamb in Exodus relate to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament?

Four Days: A lamb was chosen and brought into the house four days before Passover. Four days before His death on the cross on the eve of Passover, Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey. (Exodus 12:3-6, Matthew 12:1-11, Luke 19:29-38, John 12:9-16.)

Without Blemish: The lamb had to be without blemish. Without cuts, bruises, or deformities. Jesus was without blemish. He was sinless. (Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:18-19)

One year: The lamb had to be one year old, in the prime of his life. Jesus was in the prime of His life when He was sacrificed as a young man, 33 years old. (Exodus 12:5)

Man: The lamb had to be a male. Jesus came to earth as a man. (Exodus 12:5)

Everyone: Every house and each family had to have their own lamb. Everyone has to open their heart to what Jesus has done for them and personally accept Him as their Lord and Savior. (Exodus 12:3-4)

The 14th day: The Passover Lamb was slain on the eve of Passover, on the afternoon of the 14th day of Nisan.  Nisan is the first month of the Jewish calendar. (Exodus 13:1-2) Jesus is the Lamb that was sacrificed at the same time the lambs were being killed on the 14th day of the first month. (Exodus 12:6, Mark 15:25, 31-38)

Broken Bones: The Israelites weren’t allowed to break the bones of the Lamb.  They were not to do it during the cooking or even as they ate. Jesus’ bones didn’t get broken during the torture and the mockery He endured or the crucifixion. (John 19:31-36)

No leftovers: The lamb had to be consumed entirely on the eve of Passover. Nothing was to remain overnight. Jesus was taken off the cross on the same evening of his crucifixion, although this wasn’t customary. (Exodus 12:8-10, John 19:31)

First Born: The lamb died in place of the first-born of the Israelites. Jesus died in our place. He was the “firstborn of many brethren” – Romans 8:29. He died on the cross to reunite or reconcile us with God.

Blood: The Israelites had to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their doorposts as a sign to God. Whoever stayed in the house behind the blood of the lamb was safe from God’s judgment against the Egyptians. Whoever stays with Jesus and does His will, the blood of Jesus will keep them safe from judgment. (Exodus 12:7, 12-13, Romans 5:8-10)

The blood they put on the doorposts, on top of the door frame, and on the threshold formed a cross. (Exodus 12:21-23)

11. Freedom: The lamb opened the way to freedom for the Jews from years of slavery in Egypt. Jesus’ sacrifice sets us free from the bondage of sin. (Colossians 1:13-14, Romans 8:1-2)

12. Consume: The lamb had to be consumed entirely on the eve of Passover. We called to feast on His word every day (Matthew 4:4).  We also drink wine or grape juice to symbolize His blood and eat bread, a symbol of His flesh during the Lord’s Supper. In 1 Corinthians 11:24  and John 6:53 Jesus specifically speaks about this. (taken from Hear God’s Heart, written by Mary Ellen Wright)