Bought, Redeemed and Set Free

His Blood

On the night they were to leave Egypt the Lord informed Moses that He would kill the firstborn in each family.

To escape judgment the Lord instructed each Israelite household that on the 10th day of the current month they were to select a male lamb without blemish. Keeping it until the 14th they were to slaughter the lamb and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintel of their homes. After roasting it in fire they were to eat the meat and burn anything left over. They were to eat in haste, ready to leave at a moment's notice.

This was the institution of the first Passover which in the future they were to observe on an annual basis. That night the Lord passed over and spared judgment on all dwellings with applied blood.

The Passover Lamb is a type of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor 5:7). He was chosen by God (Isa 42:1), took on flesh, and yet without sin. Examined for more than thirty-three years, no outward spot or hidden blemish was found (1 Pet 1:19, 2 Pet 1:17). A perfect substitute, the Lord Jesus went to the cross and endured the fiery judgment for our sins and it is through His blood one is redeemed (1 Pet 1:19).

Christ's blood has an infinite capacity. The Lord spoke in the singular when He mentioned that the whole congregation would kill it (Ex 12:6). Even though each family sacrificed their chosen lamb God viewed them as one sacrifice. These slaughtered lambs foreshadowed Christ's infinite sacrifice.

His sacrifice invites all by faith to apply His blood to their hearts sparing them future judgment.

Part of God's eternal plan (Tit 1:2) Christ's blood has an eternal remembrance. Jehovah taught the Israelites to annually remember the Passover and to now consider this month the beginning of the year (Ex. 12:2).

In the counsels of God Christ was slain before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8). Today Christ has asked us to remember Him and proclaim His death until He comes (1 Cor. 11:23-26). And the apostle John glimpsed a future day when heaven will resound with praises to the slain Lamb (Rev 5:12). Without doubt His sacrifice will be remembered for all eternity.

Christ's blood has eternal value. Each Israelite family had a personal identification with his Passover lamb and the blood stained homes left a testimony to their redemption. All had been born in Egypt, some even influenced by their gods, but their link with Egypt was permanently removed and their nation now identified with Jehovah (Josh. 2:9-11).

Similarly having been spared from judgment (Rom 8:37) we are removed from Adam's curse (Rom 5:12-21) and identified with Christ (Rom 6:3-5).

As well Christ identifies with us. He calls us His brethren (John 20:17, Heb 2:11-12), His sheep (John 10:27-28) and His own (John 13:1).

Our lives should testify that we are in Christ (Acts 4:13) but when we sin it is because of Christ's sacrifice that we can confess it and have our fellowship with Him restored (1 John 1:7-9).

And in the future our bodies will be redeemed (1 Cor 15:35-58, 1 Thess. 5:23), forever free from sin giving testimony to the eternal value of Christ's blood.

A Complete Redemption

Israel's redemption included three components.

First, Israel was bought in the slave market with blood because God has always demanded a blood sacrifice (Gen 3:21, 4:3-7). For them it was the lamb's blood.

Similarly Christ came and purchased enslaved humanity with His own blood. (Mt 14:15; 1 Cor 6:20; 7:23; 2 Pt 2:1; Rev 5:9).

Secondly the night they applied the lamb's blood to their homes Jehovah permanently took them out of Egypt because redemption takes one off the market forever.

All who desire to benefit from Christ's purchase must apply Christ's blood to their heart. It is only when one trusts Christ as their Saviour that they are removed from the market (Gal 3:13, 4:5). Doing so we eternally belong to Christ (John 10:28).

Finally, Israel was set free to serve the Lord because redemption releases the slave (Titus 2:14; 1 Pt 1:18; Gal 4:31).

Christ did not buy and redeem us to place us again into slavery.

On the contrary He releases us (John 8:32), and unshackled we lovingly serve Him out of a grateful heart (Ex 21:1-6, Rom 12:1-2, 2 Cor 5:14-15).

Bought, redeemed and liberated a grateful nation marched out and began their journey.

George Ferrier

Counsel Magazine 2010