Passover – Tuesday of Holy Week
Drain the blood into a basin. Then take a bundle of hyssop branches and dip it into the blood. Brush the hyssop across the top and sides of the door frames of your houses. And no one may go out through the door until morning. For the Lord will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down.
It’s Passover, a Jewish holiday that was first celebrated when Moses was about to lead the Israelite nation out of captivity. God told them to celebrate Passover every year so they would not forget how He redeemed them from Egypt. He wanted them to tell the story to their children and grandchildren so they would not forget that the LORD was faithful to His promise to Abraham.
Living on this side of the cross, we generally don’t think about celebrating Passover, and we categorize it as a Jewish holiday, not one Christians acknowledge. We don’t really prepare for this special day or give it much thought.
I would like to encourage you to think about Passover today. To see if there is a special meaning hidden in it’s customs that might become special to you.
Take a look at the scripture again. Notice how the Israelites were to ‘paint’ with the blood from the sacrificed lamb on the top and sides of the front door. This would indicate to the angel of death that they were His children and would ‘pass over’ the house and not bring death to the first born. They were then set free.
Now fast forward a few thousand years and we are standing at the foot of the cross. On it, Jesus is dying. He is the sacrificed Lamb, His blood is being poured out for you and me. If we believe in Him and know He is the Son of God, we will catch some of His blood, dip our fingers in it, and ‘paint’ our hearts with His blood. In doing this, the angel will know that we are His children and death will ‘pass over’ us. Though Jesus’ death, we are then set free.
Tonight as the evening winds down, why not light a candle and think about this scripture, the concept of Passover and what it means to you? Write in your journal what you feel, questions you might have, insights you might be given.
Be in prayer, get to know Jesus and just what His love for you cost. Let the light of the candle remind you Jesus is the Light of the world and He has given His life to shine in You!
Father, I’ve never really thought about Passover that much before. I realize now that many of the Jewish traditions and celebrations are pointing to You. You gave the Israelites these festivals and days so they would remember what You have done for them. I too, want to remember what You do for me. Please give me Your words to share with my family and friends, words to glorify You. You are so amazing and I love You so very much!
Amen
With The Savior 