Exodus 12:42-51 – The privilege of being God’s people

The Passover was instituted to commemorate the night the covenant people of God were liberated from Egypt. It was a memorial feast to recall the awesome work that God did, to free them from Pharaoh’s bondage. It was to be a time where they recollect how they were rescued by the mighty hand of God. The bitter herbs they ate was to help them to remember how viciously they were treated in bondage. The sacrificial lamb was to assist them to remember that it was God’s provision of the perfect substitute for their sins. The blood of the lamb that they smeared on the doorposts and lintel of their houses averted the visitation of the angel of death. Then following the Passover meal, there ate unleavened bread for the next seven days. The eating of the unleavened bread was a symbol of holiness. It was a call to live a life of freedom from sin. The Passover helped the people of God to remember that they were saved from a life of slavery, death, and sin. The Passover is pointing to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God that brought our salvation. The Passover points us to the work of Christ – His life, suffering, death, and resurrection.

There are two truths concerning the Passover that we need to know. Firstly, it was a meal to be shared by the whole community of God’s people. This is indicated in verse 47 where Moses said, “All the congregation of Israel are to celebrate this.” The whole community celebrated this feast because God saved them as a whole community. It was to be a communal participation. While we were all saved individually, our security is found in the whole community of believers. Those who would not participate would be cut off from the community. Our faith, while experienced individually, must be expressed communally because we all partake of that one bread. We believe in the fellowship of the called-out ones. Secondly, it was a meal meant for believers only. God specifically stipulated the people who could participate in the meal. No foreigner could participate. Doubtless, to say, there were Egyptians and those from other nations who traveled with the children of Israel out of Egypt. Unless they were circumcised and assimilated into the community they could not participate in the Passover. This meal was meant only for people who had chosen to trust God. Unless we have a personal faith in God, we cannot be a part of God’s family. Just as the Passover commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Pharaoh’s bondage, the communion or the Lord’s supper commemorates our deliverance from the bondage of Satan and sin. It’s important that we know we belong to God. First Peter 1:9 reminds us saying “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Amen!