• The purpose: The lamb that was slain at the beginning of OT Israel’s exodus from Egypt figuratively delivered the Israelites from slavery (Exodus 12:1-14). The sacrifice of Jesus Christ – the Lamb of God –  delivered the New Testament believer from his or her sins (Revelation 5:8-14).

 

• The timing: OT Israel’s sacrificial lamb was slain on the eve of Passover during the afternoon of the 14th day of Nisan – which is the first month of the Jewish calendar year (Exodus 12:2; Exodus 12:6). Jesus, the Lamb of God, was likewise crucified on the 14th of Nisan, known as Day of Preparation for the Passover (John 19:13-14).

 

• The criterion:The lamb for OT Israel’s Passover had to be spotless and without blemish, one year old, a male in the prime of his life (Exodus 12:5). Jesus was sinless and without blemish. In His 30s, He was considered to be in the prime of His life when He was sacrificed for us and was incarnated – took on His humanity, in other words – as a male (1 Peter 1:18-20, Matthew 1:25).                                                                                                                                       

 

• Accountability: OT law required that every house – each family – have its own lamb (Exodus 12:3). Every single NT believer is responsible for opening his or her own heart to the sacrifice that Christ made through His death and resurrection; he or she must personally accept Christ as Lord and Savior of his or her life (Romans 3:9-19, Philippians 2:9-11).

 

• A Four-Day Event: Each family was instructed to bring its lamb had to be brought into the house four days before the 14^th – four days before Passover, in other words (Exodus 12:3, Exodus 12:6). Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday – just four days before his death on the cross (Luke 19:28-40).

 

• Condition of the Sacrifice: The people of OT Israel were, under no circumstances, allowed to break the bones of the lamb – not even during the cooking or eating of it. Furthermore, the sacrifice had to be consumed in its entirety on the eve of the Passover (Exodus 12:10-11, Exodus 12:46). Throughout His trial and death, not one of Christ’s bones was broken despite the torture, mockery and agonizing abuse He endured before nor during his trial and crucifixion; contrary to cultural norm, His body was removed from the cross on the same evening of his crucifixion (John 19:31-35). NT believers who wish to know Christ personally are also called to feast on or consume His Word every day. We also symbolically drink his blood and eat his flesh during the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:14-20).

 

• Sacrificed…for whom? The first Passover lamb died to take the place of the first-born of the OT Israelites (Exodus 12:12-13). Jesus died, taking your place and mine on the cross in order to reconcile our eternal relationship to God (John 3:16).

 

• Oh the Blood: The Israelites were to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their doorposts as a sign to God. Any OT Israelite who complied was safe from God’s judgment against the Egyptians (Exodus 12:13). Any NT believer who by faith accepts salvation through Christ’s blood – with his or her name written in the Book of Life – is safe from judgment that the unsaved will face at His second coming (Revelation 20:11-15).

 

• Mary delivered joy. After three days of sorrow, despair and questions, Christ’s followers would hear that, true to His Word, He was alive. To this day, Easter is a primary time for the gift of rejoicing as many church congregations open worship services with the traditional greeting/response of “Christ the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!” We go on to offer joyful praise in song: “He arose, He arose. Alleluia, Christ arose!”

 

• Mary delivered life. The fact that Christ indeed arose meant eternal life for Mary herself, James, John, every person who accepts by faith the mercy of His grace. Glory to Jesus’ Name, that even includes Simon Peter and me. Christ-followers traditionally symbolize this gift of life by adorning their places of worship with an abundance of flowers on Easter Sunday.

 

• Mary delivered newness. Jesus arose as a “new” being with a glorified body and now sits upon Heaven’s throne, exalted and untouchable by death. Once we join Him in Eternity, we too will be graced with new and glorified bodies. In the meantime, we may choose to honor the tradition of newness by wearing new clothes on this Day of days. (Interestingly some sources say the traditional No-White-Shoes-Before­-Easter rule originated in response to respect for this tradition, so ladies, break that one next year at your own peril.) ?

 

• Mary delivered hope. Easter brings hope to those who miss loved ones who’ve passed away or are terminally ill. The Resurrection brings assurance that we without a doubt will live with Jesus forever precisely because death has been conquered by Him. The original date of this entry’s publication falls on the first anniversary of my Grandmother’s death, so today this hope is for me the proverbial cold cup of water in a desert of grief. The flowers used to represent the aforementioned Easter tradition of life are often placed in churches in recognition of a loved one’s eternal existence.

 

• Mary delivered victory. Jesus is delivered from the worst of the world and the worst of Satan – the power of death. Christ like a Mighty Warrior comes forth from the grave as Undisputed Victor. On Easter Sunday and every other day, Christ-followers do well not only to express joy and gratitude in this victory, but also to actively participate in said victory through an unwavering display of faith as we readily and victoriously “bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all.”

 

• And, intentionally or not, she was the first person after His resurrection to, in a manner of speaking, proclaim Jesus Christ as the Tabernacle for the New Testament.

 

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience; concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:1-12).