“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and where I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” Exodus 12:13
God’s Passover for the Christian is the blood of Jesus Christ. The cross of Christ is the reason God’s judgment of hell is withdrawn from believers. The blood of Christ brings you to God. God prepared the blood sacrifice for those who desire to follow Him. The shedding of His only Son’s blood was the final sacrifice for the sin of mankind.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
Yes, it was a gory event tied to a grace-filled consequence. Jesus went through the muck and the mire of man’s sin to lead you to salvation. It was not a pretty process, but it was a radically redeeming one. John the Baptist boldly proclaimed his introduction of Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29b)
Christ’s unconditional love on the cross has empowered you to love freely. His torturous death on the cross has equipped you to die daily to your worldly whims. Christ’s focus on the will of His heavenly Father as He faced the cross compels you to pray, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42).
It is the cross of Jesus that gives individual believers God’s Passover. God gives you a pass from His judgment, and it is a pass stamped with the blood of His Son, Jesus. Once you believe in Jesus as the Lamb of God who was slain for your sins, your past, current and future sins are covered. God’s Passover is thorough and complete.
Therefore, celebrate religiously the radical love and grace of God’s Passover. Do not take for granted this emancipation from sin, sorrow, and death. It is cause for solemn yet joyful celebration.
His Passover is meant to be celebrated corporately and individually. This is one reason to stay engaged with Christ’s bride, the church. The church of Jesus Christ is designed to raise the roof in worship and celebration for God’s Passover through his Son, Jesus. This weekly celebration is not meant to settle into a take-it-for-granted posture that is expedient for the moment. Rather, this first day of the week is set aside to celebrate God’s Passover.
Believers remember so they don’t forget. It breaks the heart of God when a church with a steeple outside forgets the cross inside. Therefore, celebrate corporately and in community with energy and thanksgiving because of God’s Passover through the Cross of Christ.
But celebrate God’s Passover individually as well. Make a big deal out of the anniversary of your spiritual birthday. Perhaps as part of your physical birthday celebration you could tell the story of your spiritual birth. Has the blood of Jesus been sprinkled over the doorposts of your heart? After your death will His judgment pass over your life?
“Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Do I celebrate Christ as God’s Passover sacrifice for my sin? Have I invited Jesus to forgive my unbelief?
Related Readings: Genesis 22:8; 2 Chronicles 35:16; Hebrews 9:7-20; 11:28
Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey
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