Passover: A Foreshadowing of Christ's Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: The Continuity of Redemption

The Passover event in the Old Testament is a profound foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrifice, illustrating God's plan for redemption through the blood of the Lamb. This narrative invites us to see the continuity of God's salvation story from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The Israelites' liberation from Egypt through the blood of the Passover lamb is a precursor to the ultimate redemption offered through Jesus Christ. Just as the blood on the doorposts spared the Israelites from judgment, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross offers salvation to all who believe. This connection between the two covenants highlights the consistency of God's love and His desire to redeem humanity.
[44:51]

"For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt." (Exodus 12:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the continuity of God's redemption story from the Old Testament to the New Testament deepen your appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice?

Day 2: The New Covenant in Christ

Jesus' redefinition of the Passover meal highlights the new covenant established through His sacrifice. During His last Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus introduced the new covenant through His body and blood, symbolized by the bread and wine. This act was not merely a ritual but a profound declaration of His mission to bring freedom from sin and eternal life to all who believe. By partaking in communion, believers remember and celebrate the freedom from sin and death that Jesus offers. This transformation of the Passover meal into a testament of Jesus' redemptive work on the cross invites us to embrace the new life He offers.
[46:08]

"And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Matthew 26:27-28, ESV)

Reflection: As you partake in communion, how can you more deeply connect with the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the new covenant He established?

Day 3: The Significance of the Blood

The blood of the lamb on the doorposts during the first Passover signifies God's mercy and deliverance. Similarly, Jesus' blood covers our sins, offering us salvation and a new life in Him. The Israelites were spared from the final plague because of the blood of the lamb, which served as a sign for God to pass over their houses. This act of deliverance is a precursor to the salvation offered through Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose blood redeems us from sin and death. Understanding the significance of the blood in both the Old and New Testaments helps us appreciate the depth of God's mercy and the lengths He goes to redeem His people.
[52:22]

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight." (Ephesians 1:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge and celebrate the significance of Jesus' blood in your daily life, recognizing it as the source of your salvation and new life?

Day 4: Our Identity in Christ

Our standing with God is not based on our past or present actions but on the righteousness of Christ. This truth calls us to embrace our identity as redeemed children of God, free from guilt and shame. Through Jesus' sacrifice, believers are invited to view themselves through the lens of Christ's righteousness, experiencing true freedom and transformation. This new identity challenges us to let go of our past mistakes and embrace the new life that Jesus offers. By understanding our identity in Christ, we can live confidently in the freedom and hope of His redemption.
[54:29]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively embrace your identity in Christ today, letting go of guilt and shame and living in the freedom He offers?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of Belief

Believing in Jesus as our Passover Lamb transforms our lives, inviting us to live in the freedom and hope of His redemption. This belief is not just intellectual assent but a heartfelt acceptance of His grace and love. By accepting Jesus' sacrifice, believers are invited to experience true freedom and transformation, living in the light of His redemption. This transformative power of belief challenges us to live out our faith daily, embracing the new identity and purpose that Jesus offers.
[56:02]

"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." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you live out the transformative power of your belief in Jesus today, serving others in love and embracing the freedom He offers?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of the Passover event in the Old Testament and its foreshadowing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Passover marked the beginning of freedom for the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, a pivotal moment in Jewish history that is still celebrated today. This event was not just a historical occurrence but a divine narrative pointing towards the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb's blood, which spared the Israelites from the final plague, is a powerful symbol of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, where His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of humanity.

We delved into the story of Moses and Aaron, who were instructed by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Despite Pharaoh's hardened heart and the series of plagues that befell Egypt, it was the final plague—the death of the firstborn—that led to the Israelites' liberation. The blood of the lamb on the doorposts was a sign for God to pass over the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from judgment. This act of deliverance is a precursor to the salvation offered through Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose blood redeems us from sin and death.

Jesus, during His last Passover meal with His disciples, redefined this ancient celebration. He introduced the new covenant through His body and blood, symbolized by the bread and wine. This act was not merely a ritual but a profound declaration of His mission to bring freedom from sin and eternal life to all who believe. The Passover meal, with its elements and traditions, was transformed by Jesus into a testament of His redemptive work on the cross.

As we reflect on this narrative, we are reminded of the depth of God's love and the lengths He goes to redeem His people. The call to believe in Jesus and His sacrifice is an invitation to experience true freedom and transformation. It challenges us to view ourselves through the lens of Christ's righteousness, embracing the new identity He offers.

Key Takeaways

1. The Passover event is a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrifice, illustrating God's plan for redemption through the blood of the Lamb. This narrative invites us to see the continuity of God's salvation story from the Old Testament to the New Testament. [44:51]
2. Jesus' redefinition of the Passover meal highlights the new covenant established through His sacrifice. By partaking in communion, we remember and celebrate the freedom from sin and death that Jesus offers. [46:08]
3. The blood of the lamb on the doorposts during the first Passover signifies God's mercy and deliverance. Similarly, Jesus' blood covers our sins, offering us salvation and a new life in Him. [52:22]
4. Our standing with God is not based on our past or present actions but on the righteousness of Christ. This truth calls us to embrace our identity as redeemed children of God, free from guilt and shame. [54:29]
5. Believing in Jesus as our Passover Lamb transforms our lives, inviting us to live in the freedom and hope of His redemption. This belief is not just intellectual assent but a heartfelt acceptance of His grace and love. [56:02]
** [56:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[15:29] - Worship Through Giving
[17:11] - Announcements and Fellowship
[21:33] - Call to Prayer
[25:53] - Reflections on Recent Trips
[29:40] - Introduction to Passover
[31:13] - Reading from Exodus
[32:23] - Instructions for Passover
[33:46] - The First Passover
[38:44] - The Ten Plagues
[40:54] - Pharaoh's Resistance
[42:31] - The Significance of the Blood
[44:51] - Foreshadowing the Gospel
[46:08] - Jesus and the Last Supper
[49:11] - Understanding the Passover Meal
[51:31] - The Cup of Redemption
[52:22] - Jesus as the Passover Lamb
[54:29] - Our Identity in Christ
[56:02] - Invitation to Believe
[60:36] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
[62:10] - Thanksgiving and Doxology

Sermon Clips

"The Passover meal was meant to be a time to remember and to celebrate. To celebrate God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. And Jesus breathes new life into this ancient celebration by putting himself and his imminent death on the cross at the climax of this meal." [00:46:50] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Through the lamb, God rescues the Israelites from slavery to Pharaoh in Egypt. But through Jesus, God rescues the world from slavery to sin and death." [00:47:36] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The cup that Jesus takes and says, take and drink, this is the cup of the new covenant, is the third cup. The cup of redemption, the cup after the meal, is the cup that Jesus takes and says, listen, I know that you know that this cup is for the blood of the lamb." [00:51:50] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"He's the one who will pour out his blood for freedom from sin and death. And he has done so. Jesus went from this Passover meal with his disciples to being arrested, tried, and crucified for the sins of the world." [00:53:32] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"It's not because what we've done or what we haven't done to be saved, but it's because the blood of the lamb of God atones for us." [00:54:03] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Believe that you are a new creation in Christ Jesus, that the old has gone, the new has come. You are adopted son or daughter of the most high God, the King of heaven." [00:55:06] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus truly is our Passover lamb. And one day when we stand before God and we have to give an account of our lives, we can point to Jesus and say, I believe. I didn't do it." [00:56:46] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The Passover really points to the reality that our past and our present self is not what God is looking at. Hear that. Our past and our present selves is not what God is looking at." [00:58:36] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"We can look at Jesus and what he's done on our behalf and say yes and amen, I believe. I believe and I hope, I hope that that brings you freedom." [00:59:14] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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