Jesus: Our Passover Lamb and Deliverance from Sin
Summary
Beloved congregation, as we gather today, we delve into the profound truths of our faith, exploring the Old Testament foundations that illuminate the title of Jesus as the Lamb of God. Last week, we journeyed through the narrative of Abraham and Isaac, understanding that God is both the provider and the provision for our salvation. Today, we turn to Exodus 12, where the Israelites' bitter bondage in Egypt and their deliverance through the Passover Lamb prefigure the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The bitterness of sin, as we discussed, is not merely the temporary pleasure it offers but the eternal separation it causes between us and our Creator. The Israelites' slavery in Egypt was a life of bitterness, but God delivered them through the blood of the lamb. Similarly, our lives are marred by the bitterness of sin, and only through Jesus can we find deliverance.
We then confronted the certainty of God's judgment. The Lord's declaration, "I am the Lord," is not a display of pride but a testament to His holiness and the necessity to judge sin. The widespread death in Egypt that night is a stark reminder of the judgment that awaits those who refuse the salvation offered through Christ.
The necessity of sacrifice was our third point. The Israelites were spared from God's judgment because they obeyed and sacrificed a lamb in their stead. This act foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, our Passover Lamb, whose death brought us life.
We also reflected on the innocence of the substitute. The Passover lamb had to be without blemish, symbolizing the sinless nature of Christ. Our sacrifices are blemished by sin, but Jesus, the holy and spotless Lamb of God, was the perfect sacrifice.
Lastly, we discussed the application of the blood. The Israelites were instructed to apply the lamb's blood to their doorposts, a sign for God to pass over their homes and spare them from judgment. This act, though strange to us, was the only means of protection from God's wrath. Today, faith in the blood of Jesus may seem foolish to the world, but it remains the only way to be shielded from the judgment due to our sins.
In closing, we were reminded that deliverance and a new beginning are available to us through the blood of Jesus. Just as the Israelites were set free from physical bondage, we too can be liberated from the bondage of sin and receive new life in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The bitterness of sin is a universal affliction, and its temporary pleasures cannot mask the eternal consequences of separation from God. Only through acknowledging the depth of our sin can we truly appreciate the sweetness of Christ's salvation. [44:21]
- God's judgment is not an arbitrary decree but a necessary response to sin due to His holy nature. The certainty of this judgment should compel us to seek refuge in the only provision made for our salvation: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. [45:39]
- The Passover Lamb in Exodus serves as a powerful type of Christ, whose death as the ultimate Passover Lamb brings life to all who believe. This necessity of sacrifice underscores the gravity of sin and the magnitude of God's grace. [46:58]
- Christ's sinlessness is not just an attribute but the very reason He could be our substitute. The innocence of the Passover lamb points to the purity required for atonement, a standard only Jesus could meet as the Lamb of God. [49:41]
- The application of the lamb's blood in Exodus symbolizes the active faith required for salvation. It is not our lineage or personal merits that save us but our individual trust in the efficacious blood of Jesus, our Passover Lamb. [57:04]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Exodus 12:1-13 (ESV)
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
- 1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV)
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give the Israelites regarding the selection and sacrifice of the Passover lamb in Exodus 12? ([39:32])
2. How did the Israelites apply the blood of the lamb, and what was its significance? ([40:42])
3. According to 1 Corinthians 5:7, how is Christ described in relation to the Passover lamb?
4. What does 1 Peter 1:18-19 say about the nature of Christ's sacrifice?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why was it necessary for the Passover lamb to be without blemish, and how does this relate to the sinlessness of Christ? ([48:58])
2. How does the bitterness of the Israelites' slavery in Egypt symbolize the bitterness of sin in our lives? ([43:07])
3. What does the application of the lamb's blood on the doorposts teach us about the necessity of faith in Christ's sacrifice for our salvation? ([51:00])
4. How does the concept of God's judgment in Exodus 12 reflect the certainty of judgment for those who refuse Christ's salvation? ([44:59])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced the temporary pleasure of sin. How did it ultimately lead to bitterness or separation from God? How can acknowledging this help you appreciate Christ's salvation more deeply? ([43:42])
2. God's judgment is certain and necessary due to His holiness. How does this understanding impact your view of sin and the urgency of sharing the gospel with others? ([44:59])
3. The Israelites had to actively apply the lamb's blood to their doorposts. In what ways can you actively demonstrate your faith in Christ's sacrifice in your daily life? ([51:00])
4. Christ's sinlessness made Him the perfect sacrifice. How does recognizing His purity and holiness influence your worship and gratitude towards Him? ([49:41])
5. The Passover event marked a new beginning for the Israelites. How has trusting in Christ given you a new beginning, and in what areas of your life do you still need to experience His deliverance? ([57:40])
6. The sermon mentioned that faith in the gospel might seem foolish to the world. Have you ever faced ridicule or misunderstanding because of your faith? How did you respond, and how can you prepare to stand firm in your faith in the future? ([54:31])
7. Think of someone in your life who is still in the "bondage of sin." How can you share the message of Christ's deliverance with them this week? ([59:34])
Devotional
Day 1: Sin's Bitterness Reveals Salvation's Sweetness
Sin often presents itself as a fleeting pleasure, yet its true nature is one of bitterness, leading to an eternal separation from God. This separation is not just a mere inconvenience but a profound spiritual chasm that cannot be bridged by human efforts. The Israelites experienced a physical manifestation of this bitterness through their slavery in Egypt, a life filled with hardship and despair. In the same way, sin enslaves individuals, trapping them in a cycle of guilt and estrangement from their Creator. The sweetness of Christ's salvation becomes apparent only when one fully grasps the depth and severity of this bitter condition. It is through this understanding that one can truly appreciate the transformative power of the Gospel, which offers not just a temporary reprieve but an eternal deliverance from sin's grasp [07:40].
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:13-14)
Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you experienced the bitterness of sin. How did that experience help you appreciate the salvation offered through Christ?
Day 2: God's Holiness Demands Judgment
The certainty of God's judgment is rooted in His unchanging holiness. It is not an arbitrary act but a necessary response to the presence of sin. Just as the Egyptians faced the dire consequences of God's judgment during the Passover, so too does humanity stand accountable before a holy God. This judgment is not meant to be a source of fear for those who believe but a reminder of the gravity of sin and the incredible grace that has been extended through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The understanding of this truth should compel individuals to seek refuge in Christ, the only provision for salvation, and to live lives that reflect the seriousness of this divine judgment [45:39].
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Reflection: How does the reality of God's judgment influence the way you live your life and the choices you make daily?
Day 3: The Passover Lamb Prefigures Christ's Sacrifice
The story of the Passover Lamb in Exodus is a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The Israelites were spared from God's judgment through their obedience in sacrificing a lamb without blemish. This act was not merely a ritual but a profound type of the sacrifice that Jesus would make on behalf of humanity. His death brings life to all who believe, highlighting the gravity of sin and the extent of God's grace. The necessity of this sacrifice underscores the cost of redemption and the love that motivated such an extraordinary provision for sinners [46:58].
"Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you are really unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." (1 Corinthians 5:7)
Reflection: In what ways does the story of the Passover Lamb deepen your understanding of Christ's sacrifice for you?
Day 4: Christ's Sinlessness, Our Atonement
The sinlessness of Christ is central to His ability to be the perfect substitute for humanity. The Passover lamb had to be without blemish, symbolizing the purity required for atonement. This points directly to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was without sin and thus able to take on the sins of the world. His purity was not just an attribute but the very reason He could fulfill the role of the sacrificial lamb. This understanding of Christ's sinlessness brings into focus the magnitude of what He accomplished on the cross and the perfection of the atonement provided for believers [49:41].
"For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering." (Hebrews 2:10)
Reflection: How does the purity of Christ challenge you to pursue holiness in your own life?
Day 5: Faith in the Blood of Jesus, Our Protection
The application of the lamb's blood on the doorposts during the Passover was a physical act of obedience and faith by the Israelites. It was a sign that God would pass over their homes and spare them from judgment. Similarly, faith in the blood of Jesus is the means by which believers are protected from the eternal consequences of sin. This faith may seem foolish to the world, but it is the only way to salvation. It is not based on lineage or personal merit but on the efficacious sacrifice of Christ, whose blood was shed for the redemption of all who would believe [57:04].
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13)
Reflection: How does your faith in the blood of Jesus shape the way you view yourself and your relationship with God?
Quotes
- "Deliverance comes only through the blood of the Lamb... Jesus has accomplished at the cross when he shed his blood under the weight of your sin." [01:00:09] ( | | )
- "God's judgment against sin is absolutely certain... the necessity of a sacrifice... the death of the Passover Lamb meant life for them." [46:58] ( | | )
- "Only the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus our Passover Lamb, will save you from the Judgment of God." [57:04] ( | | )
- "When you trust in Jesus as your savior, he will set you free from the bondage of sin; it's a new beginning, he'll give you new life." [58:19] ( | | )
- "Faith in the gospel today, trusting in the shed blood of Jesus... it's still the only way to be protected from God's judgment against our sin." [54:31] ( | | )
- "The very best we could ever offer to God would still be stained by sin... but Jesus is Holy, he is the Spotless Lamb of God." [49:41] ( | | )
- "Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet... we all need deliverance from that bitter life of sin without Christ." [44:21] ( | | )
- "The blood will be a sign for you... when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you." [41:19] ( | | )
- "It wasn't because they were Jews that he passed over them... it was only because of the blood of the Lamb that he passed over them." [55:41] ( | | )
- "The Passover event... it's about a new beginning and this new life came with the end of their bondage in Egypt." [58:19] ( | | )
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