What role does the Passover play in understanding Christ's sacrifice for believers? Passover’s Foundation: Exodus 12:27 “you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when He struck down the Egyptians.’ ” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. Key Idea: The Lord accepts a substitute so judgment passes over His people. God’s Pattern of Substitutionary Protection • Exodus 12:13 – “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” • The lamb dies, the firstborn lives. • Judgment still falls, yet it lands on the substitute, not on the household covered by blood. • Hebrews 11:28 notes Moses kept the Passover “so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.” Christ—The Ultimate Passover Lamb • John 1:29 – “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” • 1 Corinthians 5:7 – “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” • 1 Peter 1:18-19 – redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.” • Revelation 5:9 – heaven praises the Lamb who was slain to purchase people for God. Blood Applied Personally • Israel had to paint blood on the doorposts; faith expressed itself in action (Exodus 12:7). • Romans 3:25 – God presented Christ “as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.” • Hebrews 9:22 – “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” • Salvation is not generic; it is received by trusting the Lamb and His finished work. Deliverance From Slavery to Freedom • Passover precedes the Exodus; the people leave bondage the very night the lambs die (Exodus 12:31-33). • Jesus frees us from sin’s slavery: – John 8:34-36 – “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – Romans 6:6-7 – we are no longer slaves to sin because our old self was crucified with Him. • The cross is both pardon and emancipation. Perpetual Remembrance and Proclamation • Israel keeps Passover yearly to remember redemption (Exodus 12:14). • Jesus transforms the meal: Luke 22:19-20 – “This is My body…This cup is the new covenant in My blood.” • 1 Corinthians 11:26 – “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” • The Lord’s Supper anchors believers in the same story: rescued by the blood, awaiting final deliverance. Obedient Faith Responds in Worship • Exodus 12:27 ends with worship. Deliverance compels adoration. • Romans 12:1 – we present our bodies “as a living sacrifice” in grateful response to the mercies of God. • Like Israel, believers bow down—living lives of obedient gratitude because the Lamb’s blood still speaks. |
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