Lord, God of my salvation,
This morning You lay before my eyes the story of a new beginning, of the Passover, of Your passing over that brings salvation.
You speak of a new first month of the year, of a turning point You are preparing for Your people. And this turning point begins with a single, simple instruction.
“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.” (Exodus 12:3)
How precise You are in Your instructions, Lord. You do not leave us guessing. Every family, every household needs a lamb. Even the smallest community is called to salvation. Today, You, Jesus, are the Lamb for my household, for my heart.
You are my Paschal Lamb
Not just any lamb, but a perfect one, without blemish. You desired a perfect sacrifice because Your love for us is perfect, without spot.
“The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.” (Exodus 12:5)
And then You came, Jesus, as the fulfillment of this ancient promise. You became this Lamb, sacrificed for me.
“Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Cor 5:7)
I am ready for the journey with You
Lord, Your people were not to eat this meal casually. They had to be ready to leave, ready for the journey to freedom.
With their cloaks tucked into their belts, sandals on their feet, a staff in hand. I too must be ready today. Ready to leave behind my slavery, my fears, my comfort.
“This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.” (Exodus 12:11)
When I think of this meal eaten in haste, I see You, Jesus, sitting with Your disciples. Your desire was not haste, but a deep, heartfelt love, preparing for the greatest sacrifice.
“And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.'” (Luke 22:15)
The sign of salvation was not the strength of the people, but the blood of the lamb on the doorposts. A sign seen by God Himself. Today, Your blood, Jesus, is the sign on my heart, on the doors of my soul.
Your blood is my sign
“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13)
All this happened by faith. Moses and the people believed in Your word and Your power of salvation. This faith protected them, which reminds me that today I too live by faith in You, my Savior.
“By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.” (Hebrews 11:28)
When they realized what You had done, they bowed down and worshiped You. May my heart too be filled today with worship and gratitude for Your salvation, for Your passing over that brings me life beyond transience.
“Then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’ Then the people bowed down and worshiped.” (Exodus 12:27)
Thank You, Lord, for Your blood that protects me.
Amen.
Amen 🙏