40 Days of Faith: Day 28

Hebrews 10:28 – By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

In one sentence, the writer of Hebrews has just moved the reader through 40 years of the story, bypassing Moses’ time in Midian, the theophany of the burning bush, and the first nine plagues.

Before Moses instructs the people about the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, he appears before Pharaoh and warns him of the utter heartache and devastation that is coming. Exodus 11:2-6 states:
So Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, 5 and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. 6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again.”

Moses has just issued a preemptive warning that judgment is coming. He tells Pharaoh that his firstborn will be killed, along with everyone else’s firstborn. He even proclaims that the firstborn of the cattle will die. Egypt has never seen the judgment or devastation like they are about to encounter.

Now, here is my question: If you were Pharaoh, and you have seen the nine previous plagues, and you are warned that your son is going to be killed in this plague, aren’t you willing to let up, and let the Hebrew people go? Since Moses and Aaron have arrived, there has been nothing but severe trouble. But Exodus 11:10 lets us know that Pharaoh isn’t budging.

As Exodus 12 opens, Moses and Aaron tell the people the game plan. Essentially, on the 10th day of the month, select a lamb that is unblemished. On the 14th at twilight, everyone is to go out and slaughter the lamb.

With the blood of the lamb, take it and paint the doorposts. Then, with the body of the animal, they were to roast it and then eat it in haste. It says in Exodus 12:11-13:
In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.

The response of the people is a response of faith—belief supported by action. They had deduced that if the other nine plagues happened, the tenth must be on its way also. So, each of them, Moses included, did as instructed. They took the innocent lamb, and they killed it. They captured the drained blood from the lamb, and they painted it on the door frame. Then, they roasted the lamb, and ate it as instructed.

There are a few things that I really appreciate about this chapter of Scripture. This Passover meal became the memorial meal of Israel, commemorating their salvation from the hand of Pharoah and the Egyptians. As you look a bit closer at the instructions given by God to Moses and by Moses to the people, you see that within the original instructions, there is a vision given that this meal would be memorialized for generations to come. It even says in Exodus 12:24-25:
You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. 25 And when you come to the land that the Lord will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service.

Notice with me the forward-looking faith of Moses as he instructs the people. As he is preparing them for this moment, he is also saying, “We aren’t staying here any longer. Let’s get ready to go.”

In essences, the instruction is, “As you have received this rescue, you are going to pass this down from generation to generation. As you enter the promised land, you will also celebrate this sacrifice.”

Now, notice Exodus 12:26-27. It states:
26 And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

 Notice the word, “sacrifice.” From the very beginning, this moment has been understood as a sacrifice, the innocent lamb for the lives of the people. This application of the blood of the lambs on their doorposts is a forerunner to the blood of the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world, who spilled his blood for our salvation.

In 1878, Presbyterian minister, Elisha A. Hoffman wrote this song:
Are You Washed in the Blood?
Words & Music: Elisha A. Hoffman, 1878

Verse 1
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Chorus
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Verse 2
Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Chorus

Verse 3
When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Chorus

Verse 4
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb![1]
  
 My friend, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? To be washed in the blood of the Lamb is to have your sin forgiven and washed away. To know that you are washed in the blood of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus, simply pray this prayer right now:

 Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I admit that I am condemned in my sin. I also believe that you are the Son of God who became a man and lived a perfect life. I believe that you died for me and that you rose again from the dead. I ask that you come into my life and save me. I call upon you today for my salvation. In your name, I pray, amen.
 The night of the Passover was a dividing line between life and death—not because of anyone’s status, wealth, or power, but because of the blood of the lamb. The same is true today. The only hope we have in life and in death is the blood of Jesus, our Passover Lamb. His sacrifice secures our salvation and shields us from the judgment we deserve. Faith applies that blood personally—trusting that His death and resurrection cover my sin

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Passover Lamb. Thank You that Your blood covers me, forgives me, and secures my place in the city You are preparing. Help me to live each day in the confidence of Your sacrifice and to share this good news with my family, friends, and neighbors. Keep me mindful that nothing else—no wealth, status, or effort of my own—can save me apart from You. Today, I choose to rest in Your blood, trust Your promises, and walk forward in faith. In Your holy name I pray, Amen.
 
   [1] Public Domain: First published 1878.