We are thinking about connections between Passover in Ex. 12 and our Lord’s ministry at the cross. We can see that Passover speaks of “atonement,” providing a covering for sin. Passover also speaks of “redemption.” In the OT there are two pictures of redemption. First, there is the one illustrated in the book of Ruth (e.g. Ruth 2:20; 4:14), where the Redeemer is a “kinsman redeemer.” Boaz was a close relative of Naomi and Ruth. As we have noted, the Passover lamb in Ex. 12 was part of the family for a period of time, and then shed its blood so as to “buy” freedom from death for Israel. Job knew of this Redeemer: For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth (Job 19:25). Jesus was our “blood brother” who was our Kinsman-Redeemer (Heb. 2:17-18). We should join the Psalmist in 107:1-2: Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.
The other term is seen in the provision made for firstborn sons. In Ex. 13:13-15 (still in the context of Passover) God proclaimed that all the firstborn in Israel belonged to Him. Thus, a firstborn of the sheep or the herd was to be put to death. But in the case of a firstborn son, they could be redeemed, bought with the blood of a lamb. The Psalmist in 49:7-15 spoke of this wonderful spiritual truth. No person can pay the ransom for another person because it is too costly. Each is accountable for their own sin. Yet the Psalmist is confident that God will “redeem my soul from the power of the grave.” Christ is that Redeemer. Study this in Col. 1 where we see that Christ, the Firstborn of all creation and Firstborn from the dead (1:15-18) is the One who has shed His blood to reconcile us to God (1:19-23).
Continuing in Ex. 12, we have seen that the covering and redemption is bound up in the blood of the lamb, as is the case with Christ. Lev. 17:11 says, For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. Do you remember how the God said that “the blood of (Abel) cries out to Me from the ground” (Gen. 4:10). Every picture of atonement and redemption we have seen requires the taking of a life, meaning, the shedding of blood. What Jesus accomplished on the cross was through His blood (e.g. Rom. 3:25; Col. 1:20). At the Passover meal Jesus declared, This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many (Mk. 14:24).
The lamb was to be roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs, a picture of suffering. So Christ suffered as He became our Passover (Ps. 22:12-18; Isaiah 53:3-7). And lastly, the Passover was “the LORD’s” Passover (12:11). So, Christ was smitten by God and afflicted (Isa. 53:4). God brought (Him) to the dust of death (Ps. 22:15). He was delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:22-24).
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