9 April 2023 PM – Exodus 12 – Easter – Scott Childs
Introduction: This evening I want us to take a trip back in time to Egypt during the time when the children of Israel were slaves. I want us to picture ourselves as one of the Israelite slaves. For 400 years, our people have lived in Egypt. We have no freedom. Every day, cruel taskmasters force us to work for the Egyptians, making bricks to build their cities. Life is miserable and often painful. We have no hope!
Not long ago, an old man named Moses came to Egypt and announced that God would set our people, free. Over the past few months, our God, Jehovah, has plagued Egypt in many terrible ways, but pharaoh refuses to let us go free. First, the rivers all turned to blood. Then there were millions of frogs everywhere. Tormenting lice and flies followed the frogs. Next, many of the animals died of murrain. People then got painful boils. Hail and locusts destroyed everything that was green in the entire country. Then there were three days of total darkness. We still had lights in our homes, but not the Egyptians.
Just a few days ago, on the 10th day of the month, God told Moses that every family must select a perfect lamb for a special sacrifice. Father picked out our lamb, and we must daily examine it to make sure it is healthy and perfect.
Today is the 14th day of the month. This afternoon, my father killed our beautiful lamb, dipped a hyssop herb in its blood, and paint the sides and top of our doorway. Mom then must roast the lamb, and we must stay in the house and eat the lamb for our evening meal. Tonight, God is going to send his death angel to Egypt. The angel will kill the firstborn in every home that does not have blood on the door. God has assured us that this will so grieve pharaoh that he will finally let us go. We must be prepared to leave tonight. We have everything packed.
It seemed so cruel to kill our very best lamb and roast it over the fire, but I am very thankful we did. You see, I am the firstborn in my family. If father had not killed our best lamb, God’s death angel would take my life tonight.
Though we did not realise it that night, our perfect lamb, the blood on our door, and the eating of that roasted lamb were pictures of the Lamb of God who years later shed His blood to pay for the sins of all people.
Transition: In the next few minutes, I want us to consider some of the ways that the Passover lamb pictured Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
1. The lamb was a male without blemish (v.5)
a. The lamb was examined for blemishes.
1) For four days, each family examined their selected lamb for any sign of ill health or blemish. They keep it or watch it for those four days.
2) This was later true of all sacrifices given to the Lord. (Leviticus 22:20) “But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.“
b. Jesus was the sinless Lamb of God.
1) Jesus lived as a human for 33 years. During that time, He never sinned. He was perfect because He was God.
2) His family, friends, neighbours and critics closely observed Him, but they found no sinful blemish in Him. Jesus said, (John 8:46) “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?” (1 Peter 2:22) “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:“
2. The innocent lambs died for others (v.6)
a. The lambs gave their lives for the firstborn.
1) Those little lambs were less than one year old.
2) They had done no wrong, yet they died to save the firstborn in each family.
3) The Egyptians had sinned. The 15th day of the first month was a judgment day in Egypt. Only the blood of a lamb could spare the lives of the firstborn.
b. Jesus died to save sinners.
1) Jesus was innocent. He had no sin. He was perfect. Just like that perfect lamb, Jesus died to spare the lives of others.
2) (Romans 5:8) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.“
3) Like the lambs, none of Jesus’ bones were broken (v.46).
4) Just as God required the blood of the Passover lamb to protect the lives of others, so Jesus’ blood provides life for others. Scripture tells us, (Hebrews 9:22) “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.“
5) You and I will also face God on Judgment Day. We cannot escape that day. The hymn writer said it well when he wrote, “What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
3. The blood had to be applied to every house (v.7)
a. God required that blood be on every doorpost.
1) They had to paint the blood on the two sides and top of their door (v.7).
2) God promised, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” (v.13).
3) So it is that the blood of Jesus must be applied to every sinner. Christ’s blood MUST be applied to the door of your heart. If not, you will have nothing to protect you on Judgment Day.
b. Every person was to partake of the lamb (v.7-8).
1) Each member of every family was to eat of the roasted lamb (v.8).
2) Here again we find an application to Christ. Only partaking of Christ’s payment offers protection.
3) None of the lamb could be left until morning (v.10). They could not save any for later. So it is with Christ’s payment, “now is the day of salvation”. If you think you can save it for later in life, you are mistaken. Later will be too late!
4. Obedience was the key (v.13)
a. All who disobeyed God suffered loss.
1) The firstborn of every home in Egypt died that night because they did not apply the blood of a perfect lamb to their door (v.29-30).
2) At the final Judgment, all who failed to obey God and receive Christ’s blood as payment for their sins will perish. Among them will be millions of religious people who neglected what they had heard.
b. All who obeyed God escaped judgment.
1) While the thousands of Egypt wept bitterly that night, the obedient in Israel, rejoiced in God’s mercy.
2) God kept His word and protected their firstborn.
3) God ordained that Israel remember the Passover every year from then on (v.24).
