Pictures From The Passover

Pictures From the Passover

Exodus 12:1-14

Purpose: To explain how the Passover pictures our salvation.

Aim: I want he listener to glorify God and rejoice in His forgiveness.

INTRODUCTION: Many of the announcements in Scripture don’t have the impact on us that the original hearers had. For example, when Jesus approached John the baptizer he announced, John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!(NAU). Every Jew who heard those words would immediately think about the last lamb they sacrificed at the Temple to have their sins forgiven.

Many would have remembered: Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.(NAU)

Let’s take ourselves back over three thousand years to the Passover. The Jews were enslaved in Egypt under horrible conditions. They had lost their freedom. Then God breaks forth on the scene and does the impossible.

Maybe you feel trapped by circumstances and can see no way out. Maybe life is closing in on you and the future looks dreary. The Passover is proof that God cares about your condition and has a real solution to offer you.

➔Vs.1-4 I. General Lessons About Salvation

➔Vs.1 A. God saves while we are in the world “in the land of Egypt”

The Jews didn’t have to find a way out of Egypt before God was going to help them. God comes to us right where we are and offers salvation. Just like He did to Adam and Eve after they sinned. Adam and Eve were not looking for God, but God Himself was looking for them. Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.(NAU)

You may not be looking for God, but God is looking for you. Even though you may feel that you are in a God-forsaken Egypt, God is there.

➔Vs.2 B. Salvation begins a new life “the first month of the year”

This would be about the middle of March. That is the time of year that Christ died.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.(NAU) Galatians 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.(NAU)

Salvation only comes to those who are looking for a new life. Salvation is NOT an improvement that God wants to make to your life. Salvation is the beginning of a whole NEW life.

➔Vs.3 C. All are invited “all the congregation”

Isaiah 55:1 “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost.(NAU)

If you are thirsty to have your sins forgiven and to have your life changed this invitation is for you. Luke 9:24 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.(NAU)

➔Vs.5-6 II. Pictures of Christ in Salvation

➔Vs.5 A. Christ was perfect – yet flesh and blood “lamb...unblemished”

The lamb died in the prime of life and had no faults, and so did Christ.

Hebrews 7:26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;(NAU)

1 Peter 1:18-19 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.(NAU) 1 John 3:5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.(NAU)

➔Vs.6 B. Christ was murdered – yet well known “keep it...kill it”

Jesus entered Jerusalem exactly four days before His crucifixion.

Jesus was not only examined for four days before they decided to execute Him, He had already lived among them for 33 years. No one ever pointed out a sin in Christ.

➔Vs.7-14 III. Pictures of Personal Salvation

➔Vs.7 A. The blood must be applied “take some of the blood”

Sacrificing the lamb was not enough to save the Jews. The blood must also be applied to each home. Romans 5:11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.(NAU)

Look ahead to verses 21-22: Exodus 12:21-22 21 then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb. 22 “You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.(NAU)