Reading: Exodus 12:11-14

Exodus 12:13 – “The blood will be your sign… Whenever I see the blood, I’ll pass over you.”

We move deeper into the Passover story today. The lamb has been selected, watched over, slain, and roasted. Some of its blood has been placed on the door frames of their houses. The table is set. Beginning in verse 11, instructions are given for how to eat the meal. Equal parts anticipation and readiness, the Israelites are to eat the meal ready to go – sandals on, walking stick in hand. God then tells the Israelites what will happen: “I’ll pass through the land… I’ll strike down every oldest child… both humans and animals.” Knowing this, there must have been great fear and angst in their homes that night. To know that widespread death was occurring just outside your home would’ve been very unnerving. And to know that you and your family were saved by the blood of the lamb – amazing.

God reassures Israel, saying, “The blood will be your sign… Whenever I see the blood, I’ll pass over you.” Death will not visit their homes, families, or livestock. They have been marked by the blood of the lamb. This great act of salvation will be remembered “for all time.” Every year, Passover is celebrated. One of those years, thousands of years after this first one, Jesus and his disciples sat at a table in an upper room, celebrating Passover. Present were the lamb and bitter herbs, the bread and the cup. At this final Passover for Jesus, new instructions were given. His disciples are to remember this gift every time we take the bread and cup. Through the blood of the lamb, through Jesus’ sacrificial death, we are to remember that we are freed from the power of sin and death. The plagues of our day are power, greed, and selfishness. Jesus frees us from all of these, empowering us to live as people of love, grace, welcome, forgiveness, belonging, and community. Through our daily living, we carry the mark of Jesus. Because we bear the mark of Christ, we are saved daily from our sin and we will be saved one day into eternal life. For these acts of salvation, we say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for marking us with the blood of the lamb. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we become a part of your family. The blood that protects also washes us clean, again and again. And through Jesus’ new, risen life we are shown the way to eternal life. Thank you for making us yours and for keeping us yours. Amen.