Topical Encyclopedia The "Blood of the Paschal Lamb" is a significant symbol within the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Passover event as described in the Book of Exodus. This event marks a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites and serves as a profound typological foreshadowing of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.Biblical Context The account of the Passover is found in Exodus 12, where God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the final plague that He would bring upon Egypt—the death of the firstborn. To protect the Israelites from this plague, God commands them to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and to apply its blood to the doorposts and lintels of their homes. The blood serves as a "token" or sign for the Lord to "pass over" those houses, sparing the inhabitants from the plague of death. Exodus 12:13 states, "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike the land of Egypt." Symbolism and Typology The blood of the Paschal Lamb is rich in symbolism and is a precursor to the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law. It signifies atonement, protection, and deliverance. The lamb itself is to be without blemish, symbolizing purity and perfection, which is a requirement for a sacrifice that is acceptable to God. In Christian theology, the Paschal Lamb is a type of Christ, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Just as the blood of the lamb provided physical deliverance for the Israelites, the blood of Christ provides spiritual deliverance from sin and eternal death. The Apostle Paul explicitly draws this parallel in 1 Corinthians 5:7 , stating, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." Ritual and Remembrance The Passover became an annual observance for the Israelites, a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness. The ritual involved the sacrifice of a lamb and the eating of unleavened bread, commemorating the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt. This observance is detailed in Exodus 12:14-20 and is reiterated throughout the Old Testament as a central aspect of Jewish identity and worship. In the New Testament, the Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples, is understood to be a Passover meal. During this meal, Jesus reinterprets the elements of the Passover, instituting the Lord's Supper. He identifies the bread as His body and the wine as His blood, establishing a new covenant (Luke 22:19-20). This act fulfills the typology of the Paschal Lamb, as Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross becomes the ultimate act of deliverance for humanity. Theological Implications The blood of the Paschal Lamb underscores the necessity of a sacrificial atonement for sin, a theme that runs throughout the entirety of Scripture. It highlights God's justice in requiring a payment for sin and His mercy in providing a substitute. The Passover event and its fulfillment in Christ emphasize the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The concept of the blood as a "token" also speaks to the covenantal relationship between God and His people. It is a sign of God's promise to protect and deliver those who are marked by the blood, a promise that finds its ultimate expression in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 12:13And the blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. Nave's Topical Index Library The Passover: an Expiation and a Feast, a Memorial and a Prophecy The New Passover Christ Our Passover Easter Sunday Whether it is Lawful to Receive this Sacrament Daily? Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ... The Paschal Supper - the Institution of the Lord's Supper. Petilianus Said: "But that the Truth of this May be Made Manifest ... The Entry into Jerusalem. Last Week of Jesus. Resources What does the Bible say about hair length? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the lily of the valley (Song of Solomon 2:1)? | GotQuestions.org What is genuflection? What does it mean to genuflect? | GotQuestions.org Token: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Token: Blood of the Paschal Lamb Token: Circumcision, of the Covenant of Abraham Token: Consecration of the Firstborn Token: Miracles of Moses, of the Divine Authority of his Missions Token: Prayer for Tokens of Mercy Token: Rainbow, That the Earth Would Never be Destroyed by a Flood Token: Sun and Moon for Time and Seasons Related Terms |
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