When I was a child, I would get pretty upset and freaked out by the story of the Passover. I’m not alone in that, as I know others that are not that fond of the Passover story in the Bible.
Imagine knowing that on a specific night the Lord was going to send The Angle of Death to fly over every home in your city. Every house that had followed the plan correctly and had the right combination of preparation, including applying the blood of a spotless lamb to the doorpost of their home, would be passed over. Those that were not prepared would pay a high cost of disobedience. The price was the life of firstborn of every household that did not obey. As the oldest male child, I’d start to mentally hyperventilate a little, then I’d remember that in my understanding, the Bible was not specific to gender, only that it would be the eldest child. Then, I’d calm down knowing my sister Connie, being the oldest, would bear that burden, not me, so it’s all good, right! Only Kidding, I Love my Sisters and Brother dearly and wouldn’t want to lose them, then or now.
I realize that my negative mindset was based on the assumption that we’d be unprepared. Why would I even consider being unprepared? Why would I think that my parents would allow one article of the Passover requirements to go unheeded and put their eldest child’s life in peril? That doesn’t make any sense at all. Why would anyone, who had been warned by Moses, just sit back and risk the wellbeing of their own child by not applying the lamb’s blood? A simple thing, a very clearly laid out set of rules that would save your child from certain death and your whole household from the great grief of losing that child. How could you neglect even one detail of such a plan?
The actual Passover was a one-time event in history, but it is recorded so vividly in God’s Word that it can almost be felt. God also commanded that it be commemorated yearly to forever preserve its message. The implications of the Passover are still very real and fresh reminders of our own fragility and complete dependence on God for every breath, for every heartbeat.
As I look around today, I have to wonder if the Israelites were as unconcerned as we seem to be. Did they hear and see Gods wonders and immediately turn their backs as we do? Maybe my childish anxiety was not that unfounded. I see parents today blindly going about their lives with no thought to what the consequences of their actions or lack of actions will be. Willing laying their own children on the altar of their own selfishness and sinfulness. They seem only concerned with satisfying the flesh and numbing their mind. Risking the eternity of their family as they go about their business, distracting themselves from the emptiness and brokenness with entertainment, sports, and chemical numbness. Making Idols of men and women and ignoring their Creator.
The rules are laid out as clearly as ever, apply the Blood of the Spotless Lamb to everything in your life or lose everything in your life. The stakes are higher now than they were at Passover, it’s not just your eldest, it’s everyone and everything in your life that is at stake.
Jesus made a way of escape as our Passover Lamb. His Death, Burial, and Resurrection ushered in a new Day, the veil of the Temple was ripped in two, allowing lowly humans to be exposed to the Spirit of the Almighty God and His Saving Grace. We can enter into His presence, come boldly before the Throne of Grace where our own Spiritual Death, Burial, and Resurrection can begin to be fulfilled.
Jesus purchased this Plan with the Spotless Blood of The Only Perfect Lamb, His own Blood. He Prepared the Way, has given us the Way, and it is our responsibility to apply it to the Doorpost of our hearts. And as with everything we do Our actions or inactions affect everyone in our lives, in our circle of influence. Make sure that the Blood of the Lamb is applied.
God Bless you richly
Greg
The Swimming Axehead 