Moses kept pressing Pharaoh to let the Jewish people go, and each time Pharaoh refused, Adonai subjected Egypt to another plague. As the last and worst calamity was near, God informed the Hebrew slaves what to do to escape it.
The Angel of Death would descend upon the land and take Egypt’s firstborn, both human and animal. Each household of Israel was to select an unblemished lamb, care for it four days, and then sacrifice it. They were to paint its blood on the lintel and doorposts of their homes and, by this, the coming death would pass over their households.
“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. So there will be no plague among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”
―Exodus 12:13
It was a great and mighty miracle of salvation. The lamb’s death, and its blood as a covering, saved the Jewish people in Egypt. In the New Covenant, John the Immerser identified Yeshua (Jesus) as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), and the apostle Paul refers to Him as our Passover Lamb.
“…for Messiah, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.”
―1 Corinthians 5:7
Yeshua died to offer His blood as a covering for our sin. When God looks at those who have placed their faith in Him, He sees the righteous, shed blood of Jesus, and He spares us from spiritual death. Instead of an eternity apart from Him, we now have eternal life. Yeshua, our Passover Lamb, secured our salvation and gave us abundant life.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
―John 3:16
“I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly!”
―John 10:10
God commanded the Children of Israel to remember the Passover throughout their generations. Passover reminds us to look back at how God met the needs of the Israelites in the wilderness, and it invites us to consider afresh what He has done for us individually. As you go through this daily Passover devotional series, you’ll be encouraged to ponder various ways God has provided for you and to make note of them. Each day, you’ll add to a collection of blessings you can review in the future to refresh and strengthen your faith.
Take some time on this first day of Passover to reflect on the gift of Yeshua’s sacrifice on your behalf. Consider the promise of Heaven, bought for you by His shed blood, and how that encourages you today. Think also of the gift of new life He has given you to enjoy now on Earth. How has He enriched your life?
When is “not-enough” enough? When the Lord steps in and makes up the difference.
Purim is a festive time recounting a fascinating chain of events in Israel’s history. Learn the story of Purim while taking away spiritual insights to encourage your life today in “10 Things to Know about Purim.”
