The “Sacrifice” was to be a LAMB. Exodus 12:5. An emblem of meekness and purity, such was Jesus. “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.” Isaiah 53:7.
The lamb was to be young, a male of the first year. It was to be without blemish. If a spot had been found upon it, it would have been unfit for sacrifice. Jesus was without blemish. He was absolutely sinless. 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:5. He was perfect as a babe at Bethlehem, as a boy at Nazareth, as the “Son of Man.” The words of the Father at His Baptism-“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17), had reference to Jesus’ life from a boy. Pilate said of Jesus-“I find in Him no fault at all.” John 18:38. And Judas said- “I have betrayed the innocent blood.” Matthew 27:4.
The lamb was to be KILLED. Exodus 12:6. It was not enough to take a lamb into the house and fondle it, to make a pet of it, to let God see how much they loved the lamb. It was not enough to tie the lamb to the door, where it might be seen by the “Death Angel,” it had to be KILLED. We are not saved by the life of Christ, but by HIS DEATH. If Jesus had not DIED upon the Cross there would have been no “RENT VEIL,” no “SHED BLOOD,” no “OPEN TOMB,” no “INTERCEDING HIGH PRIEST.” It is by His “STRIPES” we are healed, not by His example. “His own self bare our sins in His own body on THE TREE.” 1 Peter 2:24. He did not bear them anywhere else. He did not bear them in the manger, or at the Jordan, or in the Wilderness, or in the Garden of Gethsemane, but on the CROSS.
But the lamb was not simply to be killed, something had to be done with the BLOOD, and with the FLESH. They were to take the BLOOD and sprinkle it on the two side posts and on the upper door post (lintel) of their dwellings, and they were to EAT the flesh. Exodus 12:7. The “First Born” was not safe when the blood was simply shed, or even when caught in the basin.
It was not enough to “analyze” the blood, the blood had to be used, and they were not left in doubt as to how it was to be used, it was to be sprinkled on the door o£ their dwelling with a bunch of “Hyssop.” Hyssop is a common plant, and grew everywhere in Egypt. It was not a rare plant that they had to send to some foreign country to get. Hyssop stands for “Faith.” Faith is the commonest thing in the world, without it there could be no commercial, social, or domestic relations. None of the blood was to be put on the “threshold” or sprinkled on the floor of the dwelling. It was too costly and too sacred to be trodden under foot. Yet unbelievers, and religious teachers who make light of the “Blood of Christ,” are treading under foot the Son of God, and counting His BLOOD as worthless. Hebrews 10:29. It is worthy of note that a “Priest” had no part in procuring redemption for the Children of Israel. The Passover was not a “Priestly Sacrifice.” It was the “HEAD OF THE HOUSE” who killed the lamb and sprinkled its blood on the door. The blood was a “TOKEN.”
“When I see the BLOOD, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:13. It is not a question of “personal worthiness,” nor of “good works,” nor of “morality,” but of the BLOOD. “It is the BLOOD that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11. The Israelites were not merely in a salvable state, they were SAVED, not partly but completely. If a hair of one of the “First Born” sheltered behind the blood had been touched, it would have proved Jehovah’s word void, and the blood of the lamb valueless. It is not necessary for us to see the blood. We may have no assurance as to our salvation, but have we applied the “Blood of Christ” to our soul, are we trusting to it, and it alone, for our salvation? If so, all that is necessary is, that GOD sees it.
Having applied the blood, what next: Go in the house and stay there. Exodus 12:22. No “First Born” child of Israel was safe outside the house that night until after the “Death Angel” had passed, even though the blood was on the door. Doubtless many made light of the Passover method of salvation, but no one laughed in the morning. Men may mock at the Gospel plan of Salvation, and ignore the BLOOD, but they will not laugh at the Judgment.
By Clarence Larkin (1918)
