Exodus 12:25-28

The Passover Was Israel’s Deliverance from God’s Wrath.

A. A lamb without blemish had to be sacrificed.

1. The blood of the lamb identified the Israelites, v. 13
2. The blood of the lamb was applied to the doorposts of the Israelites, v. 22.

B. An angel of God executes God’s wrath on the Egyptians.

C. The Passover feast celebrated Israel’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt.

1. The lamb was roasted whole, so that no bones were broken.
2. The Israelites ate unleavened bread, since there was no time or room for evil to ferment in their lives.
3. They ate bitter herbs to remind them of the bitterness of bondage.
4. They ate in haste and in a state of preparation for a long journey, rather than in the usual relaxed atmosphere, vv. 11, 33.

The Crucifixion Is the Christian’s Deliverance from God’s Wrath.

A. The Lamb of God without blemish had to be sacrificed.

1. The Blood of the Lamb of God identifies Christians.
2. The Blood of the Lamb of God must be applied to the lives of Christians.

B. The Angel of the Lord will execute God’s wrath on the world.

C. The Lord’s Supper celebrates the Christian’s deliverance from bondage to sin.

1. The Lamb of God was sacrificed whole; none of His bones were broken.
2. Christians eat unleavened bread, representing the Body of Christ, without corruption or sin.
3. Christians confess their sins to remind them of the bitterness of bondage to sin.
4. Christians eat the Lord’s Supper humbly, reverently. We are also to live in a state of spiritual preparation for the Lord’s return.

1 Corinthians 5:7-8
(7)  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
(8)  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Illustration

Repentance was an involved process in the early church. Sin was seen not as a personal matter, but as something that destroyed the unity of the church. Penitents fasted and prayed for the forgiveness of sins, appeared before the church to make public confession, and were barred from the Lord’s Supper until they gave evidence of a change of heart and were absolved. (The only exception was for people facing persecution. They were readmitted to the Lord’s Supper so they could receive strength.)

In the first century, the Lord’s Supper included not only the bread and the cup, but an entire meal. As part of the meal, neighbors who had quarreled make peace again.

Application

1. Identify, confess, and repent of sin.
2. Reverently receive the Lord’s Supper.
3. Receive the unleavened bread, representing the holiness of Christ, and he holy as He is holy.
4. Receive the Cup, representing the shed blood of Christ, and remember that salvation and forgiveness of sins is costly.
5. Live expectantly, ready for Christ’s return.