FHBC Sermon Notes

Exodus 12-13: This passage looks at the first Passover lamb, the unblemished sacrifice. How is it that Jesus is the one who fulfills and replaces this very sacrifice? How is he the unstained sacrifice of God forevermore?We pick up in the middle of the exodus story. God has sent Moses to Pharaoh with a message, a message to set God's people free. God has sent nine horrific plagues, all of which Pharaoh had ignored. Now comes the tenth and most horrible plague. Yet before that the book takes an aside to explain the feast of remembrance established because of this event: the feast of Passover.  
The Passover
This is the most central events in all of the Old Testament. It is the great display of God' love for his people. It is remembered by the prophets anytime they needed to point to the might works of God and the great power of his love.

This is a full meal and with a purpose. It ensured that the people were full, and ready to go. They had their bags packed. Just like parents awaiting the birth of a child, they sat in readiness. This promise of deliverance was not unforeseen. God had given the promise to Abraham himself some four hundred years earlier.

This was so important that God established a new calendar, beginning with his celebration. He made it mandatory for his people. A demonstration of their obedience and love.

Three Emphases of Passover:

1.  The Meal: three main components. Bitter Herbs, Unleavened bread, and the lamb or goat kid. The lamb had to be a male a year old with no defect.
2. The Blood of the lamb. - The blood applied to the doorway. A sign for his people.
3. The Readiness for departure. - Consider their dress.  Belt fastened. Shoes on. Staff in hand. In short ready for a journey.

The Fulfillment of Passover in Jesus Christ
1. The perfection of Jesus qualifies him one my substitute.
Jesus was not just good, he was perfect. Only this qualifies him as the substitute. Only he has no sin to repent from, and in turn can stand in place for the sin of another. For all his children.
2. The blood of Jesus spares me from death and pays the price for my redemption.  
Exodus 12:12
3. The redemption of Jesus sets me free from the slavery of sin.
The slavery of the Hebrews from the Egyptians. Our slavery to sin which leads to death.

In Jesus! We are free, we are free indeed! Amen.