The Passover Lamb
Pat McIntosh
Biblical history is both fascinating and faith-building. A good example is seen in how we can tie the following information together and make application in our own lives.
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He rose to a place of prominence in Egypt, which resulted in God’s people being blessed with the land of Goshen. However, a pharaoh who “knew not Joseph” arose and placed God’s people under bondage. After a time they raised their voice for deliverance and God provided Moses for that task. The “final straw” regarding the plagues was that of the death of the firstborn. For God’s people to avoid the same catastrophe and death as the Egyptians, they were to kill a lamb and sprinkle the blood on the door posts of their homes, resulting in the angel of death “passing over” that home. The Feast of Passover became a yearly reminder of that great scene.
Now let’s move about 1500 years into the future, when John had begun his ministry. The time of the Passover was rapidly approaching. The people’s mind would recall that great act of deliverance and John used the occasion to tell them of “the Lamb of God,” Jesus Christ.
The Lamb of God served as a vicarious sacrifice; He died on behalf of someone else. He was innocent, but bore the sins of mankind. Through His sacrifice, death can be overcome in victory (1 Cor. 15:54). Jesus’ perfect sacrifice is that which benefits us even today. It is through His blood that we can become a child of God, having our sins washed away.
Because of our sins, we deserve death. But, through the grace and mercy of God, we can be given a new life, with a new hope. May we reflect on it and thank God often, rather than just a couple of times per year.
Sunday A.M. Sermon – The Passover Lamb (Jno. 1:29-36)
The Lamb of God…
- Is Set Apart As God’s Lamb – Jno. 1:14; 1 Jno. 4:9; Lk. 19:9-10
- Was Sinless – Lev. 22:22-24; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:21-22; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:27-28
- Served as a Vicarious Sacrifice – Phil. 2:5-7; Matt. 4:19; Jno. 12:32-33; Heb. 7:26-27
- Is God’s Chosen Means of Salvation – Ex. 12:13; Acts 4:12; Matt. 26:28; Rom. 6:1-11
Sunday P.M. Sermon – Motivation for Evangelism (Mk. 16:15-16)