Remembering The Sacrifice
It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the
houses of the Israelites in Egypt and delivered our households.
Exodus 12:27
Remembering what has happened in the past has the power to lift our spirits and give us hope. And that’s exactly what the Israelites did when they celebrated Passover. The Passover commemorates what God did for the Israelites when they were in Egypt, oppressed by Pharaoh (Exodus 1:6-14). After the Hebrews had cried out to God, He delivered the people in a mighty way. He told them to put blood on their door-posts so the death angel would “pass over” their firstborn people and animals (12:12-13). Then they would be kept safe from death.
The point of the first Passover was substitutionary death: a spotless lamb sacrificed in place of the firstborn son. As with all elements of worship prescribed in the Old Testament, this points to the future Messiah, who would be the once-for-all sacrifice for the entire human race.
At the Passover observance we now know today as the Last Supper, the Lord Jesus said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt 26:28). Hebrews 9:26 explains that “He (Christ) has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” The writer to the Hebrews concluded, “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (v 28).
Bible Reading
Hebrews 9:23-28.
Prayer
I thank You, loving God, for all the marvellous works You have done on my behalf. Please give me the strength to focus on Your mighty acts when I need hope to keep going. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
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