By Kyle Beshears
Instructor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Liberation
Exodus 12:1–13
Prepared (1–5)
There are moments in time that redefine how we view history. The significance of these moments is so great that we cannot help but set aside a day on the calendar to celebrate them annually. For example, the signing of the Declaration of Independence — that significant moment of July 4, 1776 — is forever etched into the American story and calendar.
What if there was an event that was not merely a mark on the calendar for annual celebration but reset the calendar entirely?
The Passover was just such an event for the ancient Hebrews. Immediately before God’s plan to rescue His people from slavery was culminated, He called the Hebrews to remember their liberation by situating their entire calendar around that moment.
Why, though, was this moment so significant? The gospel of Christ tells us the Passover was not merely pointing to the beginning of a new year for the Hebrews but to the new beginning for all God’s people from across the world through the Son of God.
Truly, this moment pointed toward the moment when all of God’s promises manifested themselves in the Lord Jesus, through His death, burial and resurrection.
Sacrificed and Delivered (6–7, 12–13)
The Passover called for God’s people to sacrifice an unblemished lamb or goat and apply its blood on their doorframe. Doing so would allow the wrath of God to pass over the household and spare the firstborn male. Here, then, is a great proclamation of the gospel.
Back in Genesis when humanity first fell from righteousness, Adam and Eve covered themselves in fig leaves — a picture of our attempt to cover our own sin (Gen. 3:7). However, God alone covers and forgives sin, so he fashioned a different covering out of animal skin which naturally required the death of that animal (3:21).
Why? As Paul reminds us, the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). If we are to be spared from paying this debt of death, then, we must place our hope in the death of the Lamb of God (Rom. 5:9; Heb. 9:12). We are reminded of John’s glorious vision of Christ as the Lamb of God whose blood washes the robes of His saints (Rev. 7:14).
A bloodless gospel is not good news, for the wages of death would not have been payed. Likewise, a resurrection-less gospel is not good news, for the wages of death would not have not payed in full. The Lord Jesus Christ, the unblemished Lamb of God, suffered death so God’s wrath might pass over us and rose from death so God’s life might fill us for eternity (1 Cor. 15:20–23).
Hurried (8–11)
God instructed the Hebrews to prepare for the exodus in short order. The immanency of redemption is made obvious here. The Hebrews dressed in traveling clothes and sandals and stood ready with staff in hand. God had an immediate destination and purpose for His people; He did not save them just to see them sit. Indeed, the whole point of redeeming the Hebrews from slavery was to allow them to serve a new and better master, the Lord God (Ex. 7:16).
In the same way, we are not saved merely for the sake of salvation but for the purpose of glorifying God in our new lives.
We are called out of the “spirit of slavery” and into adoption as sons and daughters of God in order to serve our Father and the Lord Jesus (Rom. 8:15; Eph. 2:10).
What are you waiting for? Grab your sandals and walk in obedience to the one who redeemed you.
Share with others: