Series Big Idea: "Showing how the early stories of Scripture establish God’s Plan of Salvation”

Sermon Big: "Through faith and obedience in Christ, we are saved by grace for God's purpose"

Key Scripture (Exodus 12:21-28)

God’s blueprint of redemption runs through every page of Scripture. We’ve seen it in creation, the fall, and God’s covenants, but now we come to a defining moment: the Passover. This night was one of judgment and mercy. Death came to every Egyptian household, but those covered by the blood of the lamb were spared. 

Without Passover, there would have been no exodus from Egypt. This chapter is crucial for understanding the Book of Exodus. After the ninth plague and Pharaoh’s broken promises, God declared, “One more; the death of the firstborn of Egypt.” He provided a way for Israel to escape his wrath. The Passover lamb’s blood was caught and applied to the door’s lintel and side posts using hyssop. God commanded this so the destroyer would pass over those houses during the tenth plague. This truth became vital to the people, and every generation was to learn and connect with God’s deliverance. Let’s look at how God provided for their deliverance through the blood of the lamb.

(Exodus 12:21-28)

Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select an animal from the flock according to your families, and slaughter the Passover animal. 22 Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and brush the lintel and the two doorposts with some of the blood in the basin. None of you may go out the door of his house until morning. 23 When the Lord passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, he will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike you. 24 “Keep this command permanently as a statute for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, you are to observe this ceremony. 26 When your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ 27 you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when he struck the Egyptians, and he spared our homes.’ ” So the people knelt low and worshiped. 28 Then the Israelites went and did this; they did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. 

God’s Provision in the Passover

The final plague, the death of the firstborn, was more than just a punishment on Egypt; it was a powerful display of God’s justice (Exodus 11:4–8). But this time, Israel wasn’t automatically spared. They had to trust God and follow His instructions (Exodus 12:12–13). This made it clear that God is in control, both in bringing judgment and in offering salvation.

Every family had to choose a lamb without blemish, a picture of purity and acceptability before God (Exodus 12:3–5). They applied its blood to their doorposts as a sign of protection and a ransom for their lives (Exodus 12:7, 21–23). The lamb took the place of the firstborn, showing the powerful truth of substitution, one life given to save another.

The Israelites had to trust God’s word and follow His instructions, applying the blood as He told them (Exodus 12:28). Their obedience wasn’t just a ritual, it was an act of faith that brought their deliverance (Hebrews 11:28). Salvation required a personal response then, just as it does today through Jesus, our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).

God didn’t just save His people from death; He saved them for a purpose. The Passover wasn’t only about escaping judgment, it was about entering into a new relationship with God. Now that we’ve seen how God provided for their salvation, let’s look at His greater purpose in their redemption.

God’s Purpose in Redemption

The Passover wasn’t just about escaping death—it was a powerful symbol of freedom from slavery (Exodus 12:31–42). Even though Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go, it was God’s mighty hand that truly set them free, not anything they did on their own (Exodus 13:3). In the same way, this points to the incredible redemption Jesus offers us, breaking the chains of sin and setting us free (John 8:34–36).

The Passover wasn’t just about deliverance, it was also about setting the Israelites apart for God (Exodus 12:43–50). The blood of the lamb didn’t just spare them; it marked them as God’s own people, just like Christ’s blood sets believers apart (1 Peter 1:18–19). They were called to live differently, leaving behind Egypt’s ways, just as Christians are called to live in holiness (Exodus 19:6; 2 Corinthians 6:17).

God told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover as a lasting reminder of His saving power (Exodus 12:14–17, 26–27). This points ahead to the Lord’s Supper, where believers remember Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice (Luke 22:19–20). The Passover was just the beginning, its true fulfillment is in Christ, who takes sinners and makes them new (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

Conclusion:

When the Israelites gathered with their families to discuss the Passover feast, they shared memories of God’s deliverance during the first Passover. These stories helped children build their faith. God intended for the Hebrew people and future readers to remember that humanity faces death due to rebellion, and only He can offer soul deliverance. In response to God’s faithfulness, believers should dedicate themselves to Him and share this message with others in personal bondage of sin.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Estes, Daniel J. Job. Edited by Mark L. Strauss et al., Baker Books, 2013.Barton, Bruce et al. Life Application New Testament Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001. Print.

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Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.

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Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 

NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture

Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context

Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Wilson, Neil S. The Handbook of Bible Application. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2000.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

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