Highlights In Today's Reading:
The blood from the passover lamb must strike (be applied to) the lintel and the two side posts (doorposts). . . . as the Lord had commanded (12:22,28). In terrifying contrast was the death of all the Egyptian firstborn. Israel's salvation was through the blood of an innocent lamb (Leviticus 17:11). Read carefully all of the details of the Exodus since it is the central event of the Old Testament as the Blood of Christ is to the New. Without [the] shedding of blood [there] is no remission [of sin] (Hebrews 9:22). God provided safety to all who applied the blood as He directed.
For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt . . . and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:12-13).
There was no family that was good enough that it did not need the blood applied — no, not even Moses' or Aaron's. This was their only hope of deliverance from the death angel. God had only one plan and His divine Command had to be obeyed.
Just as the blood of an innocent lamb was the only appointed means to preserve the Hebrews from death, so we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7). One may hope that as long as he is sincere or good enough, that some other means would satisfy God, but he will be eternally lost.
God sent His only Son to die on the cross to save us from eternal death and adopt us into His family. Our security from this eternal death is through a personal acceptance of Christ as our personal Savior and Lord of our lives. He alone can satisfy both God and the repentant sinner.
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (a means of reconciliation, redemption) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. . . . Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law (Romans 3:24-25,28).
Thought for Today:
If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (I John 1:7).
Christ Revealed:
By the blood applied to the door posts. Jesus is not "a door," but "The Door" to heaven. There is no other way to heaven except through Him (Exodus 12:7,12-13,21-23; John 10:9;14:6).
Word Studies:
11:7 move his tongue =bark, growl; 12:9 purtenance =internal organs; 12:11 your loins girded =dressed ready for travel; 12:22 hyssop =common plant of the mint family; lintel =crosspiece above the door; 12:36 spoiled =took all the valuables; 13:2 Sanctify =dedicate; 13:3 leavened bread =bread with yeast — symbolic of corruption and evil; 13:12 matrix =tomb; 13:16 a token = reminder that we belong to God; frontlets =small leather box containing Scripture; 13:17 repent =change their minds; 13:18 harnessed =in military order.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in honor of Pastor Tony Foglio • Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Government Official: Rep. Robert Wexler (FL) • Country: Bahamas (284,000) in the northern portion of the West Indies • Major languages: English and some Creole • Religious freedom • 72% Protestant; 26% Roman Catholic; 1% Afro-American spiritist • Prayer Suggestion: Confess and forsake your sins that you may receive mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
Optional Reading: Matthew 21
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 3:11