The Gospel of the Passover

Passage:  Exodus 12-14 - The Passover and Crossing the Red Sea

Main Point:  The salvation of the Hebrews parallels the salvation of all of mankind.  But then it should, shouldn't it?  After all, the same God who saved the Hebrews also sent Jesus to save mankind!  It is the story of the Bible!

• Promise  God promises salvation to all who truly believe.  Salvation comes through the blood of a lamb - and Christ is the Lamb of God.  Belief is always accompanied by obedience, so the promise is received by trusting God enough to obey Him - even when it doesn't make much sense.
• Lesson  One can expect that, like the Hebrews, obeying God and journeying to the destination He has planned for us can have harsh consequences on those around us.  The Egyptians suddenly realized that their way of life revolved around the Hebrew slaves who were simply walking out of their land.  As a result, Pharaoh  assembled his army, mounted the chariots, and chased the Hebrews to bring them back.  Christian, you can count on opposition when you are saved.  If you do not face opposition, you probably are walking in a worldly way.  It is when we leave the worldly ways to go follow the Lord and His ways, that we face the opposition.  The world wants us back.  God will protect us as certainly as He protected the Hebrews.  Are we not bought with a price?  Is not God's investment in us greater than it was in the Hebrews?  We are precious to Him.  Not even the grave can take us out of His hands.  Let us therefore remain faithful to the LORD. 
• Blessing  The blessing of the Lord is this very real truth:  If you want to see God moving in your life, then trust and obey.  You will see the provision, protection, and purpose of God being laid out before your eyes.  Suddenly, you will see clearly the hand of God in your life - and you will be able to praise Him!
• Command  There is no direct command in this recount - unless you are a Jew who trusts in this passage and rejects the fulfillment of this passage in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
• Sin  The sin that so often besets us is the sin of disbelief.  Sometimes God asks a great deal from us to prove our trust and loyalty.  The consequences of not believing are very grave, indeed.  The ultimate sin is always unbelief.  It leads us to excessive pride, causes us to disobey, and for many, simply walk away from the LORD.
• Revelation about God  God is always good.  He keeps His part of the bargain - and that is something for which I depend.  I've given my life to Him, and seek to please Him.  I get horribly mistreated because of it; and misunderstood.  But that is not the LORD, it is the World.  So, I trust that God will keep His promises.  I also know that He is willing to deal with my sin.  I cannot rid myself of sin.  I depend on God to do that for me.

Devotional:

God's Ways Are Magnificent!  As we look at the Passover, which happened so long ago, we are reminded that it is not just a fable, it is a feast!  It is full of the rich pictures of salvation for mankind.  It is a Marvelous view of Christ, the sinner, and the truth of God's love.  We find His provision, purpose, and protection for all who believe and obey.  Obedience then, as now, requires work, sacrifice, and above all, faith.  We trust Jesus to be our Passover Lamb: His blood has been painted on the doorposts of our hearts; His promise of resurrection will come to pass in His time, so we must be ready to go at a moment's notice; His protection is our experience through all the paths of our life - in sickness and health, riches and poverty, life and death!

Have you put your trust in Jesus?  If so, then obey, and praise Him all the days of your life!  Great is the LORD, and Worthy to be Praised!!