THE PASSOVER BLOOD
“And when I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13)
“Listen! Did you hear that?” Night has already fallen for a long time now and everything in the dark streets of the old city appears peaceful and quiet. “But listen, there is that voice again!” From a nearby dwelling mingled voices pour out of a half opened window. After a few moments everything is quiet again. Only a cool breeze rustles its way through the leafy branches overhead. Suddenly, the clear voice of a child penetrates forth from the little dwelling and breaks the stillness of the night. “Father, do you really think that I will be spared from death?” This question appears to be that of a young Hebrew boy, perhaps around the age of thirteen. But why does he so earnestly entreat his father? Why does he in this way so anxiously question his dear father? Do you not know the reason? Have you not heard? Well then, let us go a little closer to that poor home. Then maybe you also will be able to find out why this boy is so anxious.
The father is now talking to his son. “My child, I know you will be safe because the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has promised to spare the Israelites.” What does the father mean? What is he talking about? Just listen! The troubled boy is speaking again. “Yes, that is true father, but what if a mistake is made. What if we are mistaken to be Egyptians?” Now, I think you may understand what is going on in this little home. It is the night of the Passover. The Passover night is the time in which God has said that He would kill all the firstborn children in the land of Egypt. The child who has just been talking must surely also be a firstborn child. Wouldn’t you be troubled also, if you were in his place? Well now, just wait, once again the father is saying something. “My son, don’t be so afraid. The God whom we serve has promised not to bring His sword of judgment into our home. Do you not remember that tonight I sprinkled the blood of our best lamb on the posts around our door? The God of our fathers has said, ‘And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you.’” It appears that the child is satisfied with hearing this. The house has become very quiet.
Let us not leave just yet. Listen! Once again the firstborn child is speaking. “Father, may I go and see the blood that is on our door posts? I want to see it for myself. I want to believe that it is there father, but what if it is not there?” The child shutters to think of the blood not being there. If it is not there, even though he is an Israelite child, then he must also die. Are not the Israelites also sinners like the Egyptians? Then God’s justice requires payment and death also from the Israelites. The gentle father slowly stands up and then takes his eldest child by the hand. “Come with me, my son, and I will show you. You do not have to be afraid. You will see that what I have told you is exactly like I said.” Soon the two of them stand quietly in the narrow doorway of the mud-brick home. There they behold the dimly lit, bloodstained posts that are above and along the sides of the door. The child gazes earnestly and intently for a long time. Thankful tears fill his wondering eyes, and a peaceful smile crosses his youthful face. “Yes, father, I see there is blood. Then, so long as we are behind this door and inside this house, then we are completely safe.” They stand there a minute longer and then they quickly return inside.
Before we leave, let us carefully think about what we have just heard and seen. Should we not also be concerned as to whether the blood of Jesus Christ is sprinkled upon our sinful hearts? God has promised that the blood of His Son Jesus cleanses from all sin. But what if it is missing? Then we also must die. It is not enough to be an Israelite or a Christian in name and profession. The blood of Jesus must be sprinkled upon your and my heart. This is what God looks for. It will not help to say you are a Christian and have done many good things. God looks directly into your heart. He looks to see if you have the blood of His beloved Son. He looks to see if you are wearing the robe of Christ’s blood-righteousness. This blood of Jesus is so precious. It is so valuable. Do not rest until all your sins have been covered by this blood. Trust in Jesus alone for salvation and wash in His blood and your heart shall be whiter than snow. The poorest Israelite family was safe if the blood was upon their door posts, and so it is with us. No matter how sinful or bad we have been, we still will be saved, if we only are covered with the blood of Jesus. God Himself has promised, “and when I see the blood [of My Son], I will pass over you.” Do you have this blood sprinkled on your heart? If you can truly say yes, then you also will not have to die, since another has already died in your place. Then God’s justice for your sins was satisfied when His wrath came down upon His innocent Son Jesus. How great is the love of God unto sinners! If you have experienced a little of this love, then you will want to live a life of humble praise and thanksgiving to your precious Saviour for His most wonderful salvation.
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©2006 Christian Missions
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name."
(John 20:31)