“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

FROM SLAVERY’S CHAINS TO GRACE’S EMBRACE!

The exodus story, a tale etched in the annals of faith, is more than just a historical narrative; it’s a living testament to divine intervention and enduring hope. Imagine the plight of the Israelites in Egypt, their backs bent under the weight of relentless servitude. “And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour” (Exodus 1:13, 14). Many cried out in despair, “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage” (Exodus 2:23). Yet, amidst their suffering, a promise echoed, a beacon of deliverance: “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments” (Exodus 6:6). This promise, like a seed planted in barren soil, held the potential for a new beginning.

Moses, the chosen messenger, bore a divine mandate, a stark ultimatum to Pharaoh. “And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the Lord our God. Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God; and we know not with what we must serve the Lord, until we come thither” (Exodus 10:25, 26). The deliverance of Israel marked the commencement of a new era, “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Exodus 12:2). This was not a suggestion; it was a divine decree, a requirement that demanded absolute obedience from the entire congregation. “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening” (Exodus 12:3-6). The blood of the lamb, a symbol of redemption, was to be applied to the doorposts of their homes. “And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it” (Exodus 12:7). This blood, a crimson shield, was the mark of divine protection, “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:13). “Before obtaining freedom, the bondmen must show their faith in the great deliverance about to be accomplished. The token of blood must be placed upon their houses, and they must separate themselves and their families from the Egyptians, and gather within their own dwellings. Had the Israelites disregarded in any particular the directions given them, had they neglected to separate their children from the Egyptians, had they slain the lamb, but failed to strike the door-post with blood, or had any gone out of their houses, they would not have been secure.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 278).

The Passover meal, a sacred ritual, was to be consumed with haste and reverence. “And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it” (Exodus 12:8). The bitter herbs, a poignant reminder of their past suffering, symbolized the pain of bondage. “The lamb was to be eaten with bitter herbs, as pointing back to the bitterness of the bondage in Egypt. So when we feed upon Christ, it should be with contrition of heart, because of our sins. The use of unleavened bread also was significant. It was expressly enjoined in the law of the Passover, and as strictly observed by the Jews in their practice, that no leaven should be found in their houses during the feast. In like manner the leaven of sin must be put away from all who would receive life and nourishment from Christ.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 278). This great symbol of the Passover, the Lamb of God, still holds profound meaning for us today. “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:7, 8). “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him¹ not” (Isaiah 53:3).

Not all were privy to the blessings of the Passover. “But no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof: In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you” (Exodus 12:43-49). Only under specific conditions could Israel receive the blessing. Under the new covenant, the Passover finds its fulfillment in the Lord’s Supper. “Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat it. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:7-20). “When the Saviour yielded up His life on Calvary, the significance of the Passover ceased, and the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was instituted as a memorial of the same event of which the Passover had been a type.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 539).

God’s love is shown in providing a means of escape from death and bondage. The blood of the lamb served as a tangible symbol of protection, a divine shield against the destroyer. God’s provision of the Passover, and then the Lord’s supper, demonstrates a continuous plan to save humanity. “The plan of salvation had its foundation in love, and was the result of self-denying sacrifice. Love for fallen man was the motive power of the plan of redemption.” (Signs of the Times, April 28, 1898). This act of love, this sacrifice, is a testament to His unwavering commitment to our salvation.

I am called to live a life of obedience, mirroring the Israelites’ adherence to God’s instructions. I must examine my heart, purging the “leaven” of sin, and embrace the “unleavened bread” of sincerity and truth. “We are to be obedient to God, to follow His Word, and to reflect the character of Christ in all our actions.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 224). My responsibility is to accept and cherish the sacrifice of Christ, allowing His blood to cleanse and sanctify me.

Just as the Israelites were called to gather within their homes, protecting their families, we are called to be a refuge for those around us. We must extend the same mercy and compassion that God has shown us. “The true Christian will manifest the love of Christ. He will seek to do good to others, and to lead them to Christ.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 224). Our actions should reflect the sacrificial love of Christ, demonstrating a willingness to bear one another’s burdens and offer hope to the lost.

Final Reflections:

The Passover, a symbol of deliverance, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s sacrifice. The blood that marked the doorposts of ancient Israel now marks the hearts of believers, a testament to God’s enduring love and unwavering commitment to our salvation. We, like the Israelites, are called to separate ourselves from the world, to gather within the sanctuary of God’s grace, and to partake of the true Passover, the Lamb of God. The Lord’s Supper, a memorial of Christ’s sacrifice, is a constant reminder of our redemption and a call to live a life of obedience and service. The exodus story, with its themes of deliverance, sacrifice, and obedience, is a timeless narrative that resonates with believers across generations. The blood of the lamb, a symbol of protection and redemption, is a powerful reminder of God’s love and mercy. As we reflect on the Passover, let us remember the sacrifice of Christ, the true Lamb of God, and strive to live lives worthy of His calling. Let us purge the leaven of sin from our hearts and embrace the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, so that we may partake of the blessings of salvation and share the good news with a world in need of hope.