Exodus 12: Passover

"When I see the blood, I will pass over you..." (vs. 13)

Passover is still observed by Jews today.  It commemorates this powerful story from the Book of Exodus.  To deliver His people out of their bondage in Egypt, God slew the firstborn of their captors.  The people of Israel were distinguished from the people of Egypt by having the blood of a slaughtered year-old lamb applied to their doorposts.  This blood would be a sign for the Lord to "pass over" that house and not visit it with death.

Centuries later, at another Passover, blood was again invoked to save the people of God.  In celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus (the "Lamb of God") took unleavened bread, thanked God for it, and broke it, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you" (Luke 22:19)  After dinner, He took the cup, thanked God for it, and gave it to His disciples saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood" (Luke 22:20).  By the blood, we are forgiven.

When we partake of communion in worship, it is a re-enactment of the Last Supper - which is itself a reflection of Passover.  There is a durable link among these events.  Jesus, as the lamb, was slaughtered in His prime.  Not a bone of His was broken (Exodus 12:46; John 19:33).  And, just like the original Passover, the sacrifice of God's Son brings us life and spares us destruction.

Thank God for Passover!