New Life Bible Fellowship Church
10/19/25

      • Psalm 37:8–11KJV1900

  • Give to Our God Immortal Praise
  • Lamb Of Glory

      • Proverbs 1:1–7KJV1900

  • Introduction:

    We began two weeks ago with a new series that we’ve entitled, Christ in the Old Testament, a series that will explore nine key passages from the Old Testament, revealing how God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ was woven into the fabric of salvation history from the very beginning.
    We saw in our first sermon, that the coming of Christ was not an afterthought, but an immediate, unshakeable assurance given at the very moment the world fell, and prepared for in eternity past in the counsel of the God-head. We focused our attention on Genesis 3:15, the opening shot in the war between light and darkness, and saw in The First Promise how God promised a Conquering Seed—a Savior who would crush the head of the serpent.
    Then last week, we began to look at how God would bring about this seed of the woman, this one who would crush the serpents head. We met Abraham (originally Abram) who received God's covenant promises that he would become a great nation, and receive land, and that all peoples would be blessed through him (Genesis 12). However, Abraham and Sarah remained childless for decades, a test of their faith for sure. But we saw an even greater test, for when God did provide a promised son, He tested Abraham to the limit by asking him to do something unthinkable, to sacrifice this child of promise, but that unthinkable request would reveal the necessity for The Ultimate Sacrifice.
    Now This morning, we turn to one of the most pivotal moments in all of Scripture—a night that would echo through the centuries and point us toward the greatest rescue in human history.
    Picture the scene: Egypt lies broken under the weight of divine judgment. Nine plagues have come and gone, yet Pharaoh's heart remains hardened. Now, on the eve of the final, most terrible plague, God institutes something entirely new. In Exodus 12:1-13, we find God giving Israel detailed instructions about a lamb—a specific lamb that would stand between His people and death itself.
    But this is more than an ancient escape plan for Hebrew slaves. This is God painting a portrait in blood and sacrifice, a portrait that would only make complete sense centuries later when another Lamb would be slain, not just to spare one nation for one night, but to save all who would believe from the ultimate judgment…this lamb was Jesus, the Lamb that Saves.

    Text: Exodus 12:1-13

    Exodus 12:1–13 ESV
    1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. 7 “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. 10 And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.

    Main Idea: Because Christ the final Passover Lamb was sacrificed for us, He therefore, has saved us from the judgment we deserve.

    Background:

    Let’s trace the key events from Genesis 22 through to Exodus 12:

    Genesis: The Patriarchs and Joseph

    In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Abraham's willingness leads to a reaffirmation of God's covenant. Isaac later has twin sons, Esau and Jacob, with Jacob inheriting the covenantal blessing. Jacob's family, including his 12 sons, moves to Egypt after his favorite son, Joseph, is sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph rises to power in Egypt by interpreting Pharaoh's dreams of a coming famine and wisely preparing the country. He later reconciles with his brothers and brings his entire family to settle in the land of Goshen, where they multiply over centuries, some 400 years. So this is where they are as we leave Genesis.

    Exodus: Enslavement and the Plagues

    A new Pharaoh, fearing the growing number of Israelites, enslaves them and orders the death of all male Hebrew infants. A baby named Moses is saved and raised in Pharaoh's household. As an adult, Moses is called by God from a burning bush to lead his people out of Egypt. When Pharaoh refuses to release the Israelites, God sends 10 plagues upon Egypt, including turning the Nile to blood, swarms of insects, and a final, devastating plague that kills the firstborn son in every Egyptian household. This is where we pick up the narrative this morning.

    I. Judgment and Deliverance (12:1-6)

    God's final and most devastating plague on Egypt is about to be unleashed, but before that happens, God gives Israel, through Moses all that will be necessary for their salvation (12:1−7).
    1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, - this conversation between Yahweh and Moses will be one of many over the next forty years, one that began as Moses meets Yahweh at the burning bush (Ex. 3). Also note that it begins where they are, in Egypt, the most powerful earthly nation at that time with the most powerful earthly king and most powerful earthly army…a great backdrop for the unleashing display of the all powerful and all mighty, eternal, self-exisiting God!
    2 “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.
    What's happening here:
    God is designating the month of Abib (later called Nisan, Babylonian (spring) calendar) as the first month of the religious calendar. This was the month when Passover would occur and when they would leave Egypt. Previously, the Israelites likely followed the civil calendar common in that region, which began in the fall.
    The significance:
    This isn't just about rearranging a calendar—it's about redefining Israel's identity and marking time around their redemption. The month of their liberation from slavery becomes month one. Every year when they counted months, they would be reminded: "Our story as God's people begins with Him saving us."
    It's similar to how major historical events reshape how cultures mark time (like B.C./A.D. or "before/after Christ”). God is essentially saying, "Your life as my people begins now, with your deliverance."
    Practical note:
    This created a religious calendar (beginning in spring with Nisan) alongside the civil calendar (beginning in fall with Tishrei). Jewish tradition maintains both—religious festivals follow the spring calendar, while Rosh Hashanah (New Year) is celebrated in the fall.
    3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.
    What's being commanded:
    On the 10th day of Nisan (four days before Passover on the 14th), each household should select a lamb. The lamb would be kept until the 14th, then sacrificed at twilight.
    Key details:
    The communal aspect - This isn't just individual families acting independently. The whole congregation participates together in this act of faith and preparation.
    One lamb per household - The size of the lamb should match the household. God cares about practicality—nothing should be wasted.
    Smaller households share - If a family is too small to consume a whole lamb, they should partner with neighbors. This creates community bonds and ensures everyone participates, regardless of family size. No one is left out of God's provision.
    The four-day waiting period - Selecting the lamb on the 10th but not sacrificing until the 14th meant families would observe the animal, ensuring it was unblemished. It also built anticipation and made the sacrifice more personal.
    This shows God's attention to both the sacred (the sacrifice) and the practical (making sure everyone can participate and nothing is wasted). It's redemption made accessible to all.
    5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats,
    without blemish. Like the sacrifices of Israel (e.g., Lev. 1:3), the Passover lamb was to be without flaw. The idea of substitution is evident—the lamb died in place of the firstborn. Jesus, whose death was prefigured by the Passover sacrifice, is called the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36; 1 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:6).
    6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.
    The whole assembly - This emphasizes unity, since every Israelite household participated together at the same time. This wasn't scattered individual acts but a coordinated, nation-wide event. They were acting together as God's people.
    shall kill their lambs - The slaughter occurred at sunset (Deut. 16:6). The act marked the beginning of the Passover."
    At twilight" - The Hebrew phrase "ben ha'arbayim" (between the evenings) traditionally refers to the period between afternoon and darkness, roughly 3-6 PM. Jewish tradition later specified this as the time between when the sun begins to decline and sunset. This timing meant the lamb would be ready to eat after dark when the 15th of Nisan (and the Feast of Unleavened Bread) officially began.
    This synchronized act created a powerful shared experience—every Israelite family, at the same moment, trusting God's promise of protection through the blood of the lamb.
    However, the most significant part of the inauguration of this memorial feast was…

    II. The Blood of the Lamb (12:7-12)

    The blood of a spotless lamb on the doorposts saves God's people from the angel of death (12:7).
    7 “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.
    they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts. The practice would indicate that the members of the household had followed the Lord’s instructions and were consecrated to him; but the Israelites, in light of the developed sacrificial system, would find the blood of the slain lamb to be a vivid reminder that a life had to be sacrificed in place of those in the home.
    blood. Blood symbolizes the life of a victim (Lev. 17:11).
    8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.
    The Passover lamb is to be eaten with unleavened bread. This reflects the coming events in which Israel is sent out of Egypt so quickly that they have to pack up their dough before it is leavened (vv. 34, 39).
    Note some important prohibitions in verses 9-10, followed by some detailed instruction on how to eat in verse 11.
    9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. - So why the prohibition on boiling? Though it is not specifically stated, here are some truths that may help us understand this:
    Preserves wholeness - Roasting keeps the lamb intact as one piece. The head, legs, and internal organs remain attached. This emphasizes the completeness and unity of the sacrifice—nothing dismembered or scattered. It's consumed as God provided it, whole.
    Boiling would be problematic - When you boil meat, juices and blood seep into the water. Since the blood had sacred significance (it was applied to the doorposts for protection), losing it into cooking water would be inappropriate. Roasting keeps everything contained.
    Speed and readiness - They were to eat "in haste" with their belts fastened, ready to leave (v. 11). Roasting over fire is faster than boiling and fits the urgency of the moment. They were prepared to move at God's command.
    No additions - Roasting requires no additional ingredients or water—just fire and the lamb. This simplicity keeps the focus purely on what God provided through the sacrifice itself.
    Symbolic purity - Fire often represents purification in Scripture. The lamb passing through fire rather than water may carry symbolic weight about the purity and sufficiency of this particular sacrifice.
    The prohibition against eating it raw shows this isn't about satisfying hunger in just any way—it must be done according to God's specific instructions. How they prepared and ate the lamb mattered.
    10 And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn.
    Israel is to prepare their Passover lambs by roasting them “on the fire” (v. 8), and they are to burn anything that remains of the meal in the morning (v. 10). Although the reasons for these instructions are not stated explicitly, the reference to the meal as “the LORD’s” (v. 11; see also v. 27) indicates that it is to be treated as holy. Some other possibilities for this command are:
    Urgency: The Israelites were to eat the meal in haste, prepared to leave Egypt at a moment's notice (Exodus 12:11). Leaving no leftovers reinforces this sense of urgency, as it prevents them from being burdened with food during their sudden departure.
    Sanitation: In the hot climate of ancient Egypt, leaving meat out overnight would have caused it to spoil, which would be unsanitary, and unholy. Burning the leftovers prevented this.
    Dependence on God: The command encouraged the Israelites to trust God for their provision, as they couldn't save any food for the next day. This reinforced their dependence on Him for their "daily bread" as they began their journey in the wilderness.
    11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.
    Exodus 12:11 is a key verse in the Passover narrative because it highlights the urgency and readiness of the Israelites for their impending liberation from Egypt.
    The verse instructs the Israelites on how to eat the Passover meal: "with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste." This isn't just a casual dinner; it's a meal eaten in the posture of a traveler, a sojourner.
    Significance of the Instructions
    Loins Girded: People in the ancient Near East wore long, loose garments. To prepare for travel or work, they would "gird their loins" by tucking the loose ends of their robes into a belt. This signifies being prepared for immediate action.
    Sandals on Feet: In ancient times, people typically removed their sandals when inside a home. Keeping them on signifies that this meal is not for relaxing or settling down, but for a journey. It underscores the theme of not being at home in Egypt.
    Staff in Hand: The staff was an essential tool for travelers, providing support and defense on a long journey. Its presence signifies being equipped and ready for the road ahead.
    Eating in Haste: This is the central command. The Israelites were to eat quickly because they didn't know the exact moment God would strike down the firstborn and Pharaoh would demand they leave. It emphasizes the immediacy of God's deliverance.
    From a Christian perspective, Exodus 12:11 is seen as a foreshadowing of the Christian life. Just as the Israelites were to be ready to leave Egypt at a moment's notice, believers are to live as pilgrims and strangers in this world, prepared for the Lord's return. The passage connects the act of salvation (the blood on the doorpost) with the resulting lifestyle of readiness, obedience, and dependence on God for the journey ahead.
    LORD’s Passover. The phrase "the LORD's Passover" in Exodus 12:11 is deeply significant, as it explicitly connects the ritual with the divine act of salvation. This is the first time the word "Passover" (pesach) is used in the Bible. It is not just a meal; it is a sacred, God-ordained event.
    Here's a breakdown of its significance:
    It Identifies the Origin of the Act
    By calling it "the LORD's Passover," God makes it clear that this is His doing. It is not an arbitrary act of the Israelites to save themselves. The salvation, the protection, and the deliverance from the final plague and from Egypt are entirely a result of God's command and action. The Israelites' role is one of obedience and faith—they are to follow His specific instructions, but the power to save belongs to God alone.
    It Explains the Meaning of the Event
    The phrase "pass over" refers to God's promise to "pass over" the houses of the Israelites when He strikes down the firstborn of Egypt. It is a promise of protection and mercy. When He sees the blood of the sacrificed lamb on the doorposts, He will spare those inside. The name "Passover" is a constant reminder of this act of divine sparing.
    12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord.
    The seventh plague had been a forewarning that the Lord has authority over both man and beast (9:25), but where the hail had affected only those who remained in the field, the tenth plague would strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. The Lord has stated repeatedly that the central purpose of the plagues is that both Egypt and Israel would know who he is: “I am the LORD” (see 3:13–15; 6:2–8; 7:5, 17).
    What is being displayed in judgment on Egypt’s land, animals, people, king, and gods is also revealing to Israel that Yahweh is the only true God of heaven and earth and he is acting on their behalf. The events of the Passover are the ultimate demonstration of God’s holy judgment of Egypt in its stubborn rejection of Yahweh, of God’s great love for his people Israel, and of his power that is infinitely greater than all the power of Pharaoh and his kingdom (cf. Rom. 9:17, 22–24).
    Romans 9:17 ESV
    17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
    firstborn. The firstborn, in whom the hopes of each family were invested, had the right of inheritance. No epidemic or accident could have been so selective.
    on all the gods of Egypt … judgments. The death of firstborn humans and animals also constituted judgment on the Egyptian pantheon in that many of the sacred animals (which symbolized the gods) were killed. Furthermore, the impotence of Egypt’s deities to protect the land’s inhabitants was vividly demonstrated to all.
    So how does this show us Christ in the Old Testament?

    III. Christ, Our Passover Lamb (12:13)

    Jesus is the spotless, sacrificial Lamb of God, whose shed blood covers us and delivers us from the judgment of sin (12:13)
    13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.
    Since the Lord had shown clearly in previous plagues that he could distinguish between the people of Egypt and Israel (e.g., 8:22; 9:4), the blood placed on the doorway of the houses of Israel was to function both as the sign that they were a part of the Lord’s people and also as the seal or means to appropriate the Lord’s protection from the plague (see also 12:21–23).
    Direct Identification
    1 Corinthians 5:7 - This is the clearest, most direct statement. Paul explicitly identifies Jesus as "our Passover lamb," connecting the sacrifice in Exodus directly to Christ's death.
    1 Corinthians 5:7 ESV
    7 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.
    John 1:29 - John the Baptist introduces Jesus' ministry by calling Him "the Lamb of God"—a clear reference to the sacrificial system, including Passover.
    John 1:29 ESV
    29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
    Typological Connections
    1 Peter 1:18-19 - Peter uses Passover language: "ransomed" and describes Christ as an unblemished lamb, echoing the requirement in Exodus 12:5.
    1 Peter 1:18–19 ESV
    18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
    John 19:36 - John notes that Jesus' bones weren't broken, fulfilling Exodus 12:46, which commanded that no bone of the Passover lamb be broken. John deliberately connects Jesus' crucifixion to Passover regulations.
    John 19:36 ESV
    36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.”
    Timing and Context
    John's Gospel chronology - John presents Jesus' crucifixion as occurring at the same time the Passover lambs were being slaughtered in the temple (John 19:14, 31), strengthening the theological connection.
    Revelation 5:6, 9, 12; 13:8 - The glorified Christ is repeatedly called "the Lamb" who was slain, and through whose blood people from every nation are redeemed—the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover deliverance.
    These passages together form a strong biblical case that Christ is the ultimate Passover Lamb whose sacrifice delivers us from judgment and death.
    Thus, from a Christian perspective, "the LORD's Passover" is a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus. The unblemished lamb, the shedding of its blood, and the subsequent salvation of the people from death all point to Jesus as the ultimate Lamb That Saves. His sacrificial death on the cross serves as the means by which God's judgment "passes over" those who believe in Him. Just as the Passover marked a new beginning for the Israelites, Jesus' death and resurrection inaugurates a new covenant and new life for believers.

    So What?

    Do we understand that the Lamb the Saves was sacrificed as a substitute for humanity's sins?
    His shed blood, spiritually applied to our lives through faith, protects us from eternal judgment and death.
    Do we understand that the Israelites were not saved by their own goodness, but by their obedient faith in God's specific instructions?
    They had to choose a lamb, prepare the meal, and apply the blood exactly as commanded. Similarly, for Christians, salvation isn't earned through good works but is received by trusting in and obeying God's provision—Jesus Christ. This is an act of surrendering to God's will and accepting his means of deliverance, demonstrating a willingness to follow him in a new way of life.
    Do we understand that as the month of the Passover would be "the beginning of months" for the Israelites, this Passover points to the new covenant initiated by Christ's death and resurrection?
    It signifies a new beginning and a new identity—no longer slaves to sin, but a people set free to worship and follow God. This new identity is celebrated and remembered in the Christian practice of the Lord's Supper, which Jesus instituted during a Passover meal.

      • Exodus 12:1–13ESV

      • Exodus 12:1–6ESV

      • Exodus 12:7–12ESV

      • Romans 9:17ESV

      • Exodus 12:13ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 5:7ESV

      • John 1:29ESV

      • 1 Peter 1:18–19ESV

      • John 19:36ESV

  • Our God Has Made Us One
New Life Bible Fellowship Church
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