Finding Christ in the Old Testament - Exodus 12: 1 - 28

Finding Christ in the Old Testament
Exodus 12:1–28

The institution of the Passover marks the great deliverance of Israel, not by strength of arms, but by the blood of a lamb. Each household was to take a male lamb, without blemish, kill it, and apply its blood to the doorposts. When the Lord passed through Egypt to strike down the firstborn, He would “pass over” the homes marked by blood. This typology finds its perfect fulfillment in Christ, the true Passover Lamb, without blemish or sin, whose blood shields us from eternal death. Just as Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was tied to the sacrifice and the eating of the lamb, so too the Church is delivered through the sacrifice of Christ and the eating of His body in the Supper. This was not a symbolic meal but a covenantal act of salvation. The lamb was roasted whole—none of its bones were broken—prefiguring the crucified Christ, of whom it was said, “not one of His bones will be broken.” This moment is not mere history, but typological prophecy pointing us to the cross, where God's judgment passes over all who are covered by the blood of the Lamb.

Devotion
The blood of the Passover lamb turned away death from every home it marked. So too the blood of Jesus marks every believer and delivers from the eternal judgment. The lamb had to die, that the firstborn might live. Christ had to die, that we who are destined to die might live forever. His death is not merely substitution—it is redemption.

New Testament Verse
1 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, who by the blood of the spotless Passover Lamb delivered Your people from bondage and death, grant that we who are redeemed by the blood of Christ may walk in newness of life, purged of the leaven of sin, and preserved from destruction by the body and blood of Him who was sacrificed for us, even Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn Verse

Thou hast suffered men to bruise Thee,

That from pain I might be free;

Falsely did Thy foes accuse Thee:

Thence I gain security;

Comfortless Thy soul did languish

Me to comfort in my anguish.

Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,

Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

— Christ, the Life of All the Living (LSB 420:5)

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Now and Forever, Unto the Ages of Ages, AMEN!