Each of these requirements is designed to teach us about Jesus Christ and gospel truth. The lamb was to be "a year old male," in other words, in its prime. Jesus Christ was sacrificed on the cross not as a babe in Bethlehem but at 33 years old, in the prime of His life. Think of Him going to the cross for you, not as a weak and helpless infant, or an aged and decrepit old man, but in His prime.
The lamb also had to have no spot or blemish because Jesus Christ was without sin, a perfect offering. Isn't it amazing that the judge who condemned Christ declared Him innocent (Luke 23:14-15)? Jesus was tempted in all ways just as we are, yet was "without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). Think of Jesus’ cross, dying as the only perfect Human, trading His life for yours as He became sin for you that you might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The lamb was to be set apart four days before to be examined and declared spotless. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and before He died on the cross, He was examined repeatedly by the religious and governing leaders of the day; Jesus was declared innocent and faultless.
The lamb was to be killed, and roasted with fire, showing us the cross of Jesus Christ and His painful sufferings unto death. The wrath of God is as fire, and Christ was made a curse for us. Think of Jesus willingly consumed for you, giving Himself over to the “fire” of God’s wrath out of love for you, dying to both save you and set you free from slavery.
The blood of the sacrifice was to be sprinkled on the two doorposts and lintels of their houses. This "sprinkling" teaches us that we must apply the cross to our hearts; we must put faith in this good news, believing and receiving the atonement (Romans 5:11). This is where we got the title to this book, “The Cross Applied”, for without this application of it to our hearts the good news is merely head knowledge. We dare not merely assent to the truth, it must grab us and crush us, hurt us, and heal us. This happens as we see the Lamb dying willingly, loving us unto death, shedding His blood to redeem and rescue us. Are you seeing this even today?
The blood was to be sprinkled on the doorposts, teaching us of the need for others to see our faith in Jesus. The neighbors could see it, all who passed by knew that the home was under the blood and had faith in God’s Word. We are not to hide our light under a bushel but rather “let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16).
The blood was not to be sprinkled on the entry floor. There is a warning here, telling us not to trample on the blood of Jesus, but rather to count it precious to us (see Hebrews 10:29). We trample on the blood of Jesus if we refuse to turn from sin and put faith in Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus Christ's death on our behalf is precious and costly. The blood that was sprinkled on the doorposts saved the Israelites from the destroying angel, who would not kill where the blood was. Even so, this most precious blood of Jesus is our protection from the wrath of God, the curse of the law, condemnation from a Just Judge, and the damnation of hell (Romans 8:1-3).
Now, let us notice a final verse for today’s study:
“In this manner, you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover.” Exodus 12:11
The Israelites were to eat the lamb with their belt fastened, sandals on their feet, and their staff in hand, in other words, ready to go. There was a reason for this. God was teaching them, and us, this truth: When you feed on the lamb, you will be released from slavery.
Oh, how important this is. Our salvation comes from the death of the Lamb, and our redemption from sin comes as we feed on Christ. We feed on Christ when we receive nourishment from His death. We feed on Christ when we open His Word and sink our teeth into His truth, and we benefit from His death.
“So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” John 6:53-55
Jesus compares Himself with the Passover Lamb, instructing us to eat His flesh and live. This means we are to savor and assimilate Jesus, to nourish our hearts and souls at the cross, and to find life in Jesus’ death.
I wonder how it is with you right now. Have you been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb? Do you know that your redemption is by God’s grace, apart from your works? Have you made a public profession of faith in Jesus? Do you feed on the Lamb of God, and are you released from slavery?
Question 10. Is the death that Jesus died becoming more and more precious to you? Are you feeding on it and being released from slavery by it? Please explain:
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Mike L. writes, "Every time I come to the cross, or read my Bible or do these lessons, every time you make scripture more clear to me, every day Jesus is becoming more and more precious to me. The more I realize how truly sinful I am and yet Jesus still allowed Himself to be beaten to a pulp for me, He allowed Himself to be spat upon, ridiculed, humiliated, then He laid His precious body down on the cross, allowed Romans soldiers to pound nails through His hands and feet and then asked God to forgive them for what they did, this is so mind-boggling, oh my goodness yes Jesus is so precious to me and yes He is freeing me from slavery to love Him and to hate the world, I honestly can not wait to be with Him!"