Moses--Day 13

Wednesday, September 15

Moses: Called, Challenged, Changed

The Passover

Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down (Exodus 12:21-23).

Suggested reading: Exodus 11, 12:1-30

The tenth plague—the most horrific one for those living outside of the blood-marked doorframes, but the sweetest one for those within the candle-lit houses. We see in these chapters that Moses forewarned Pharoah what was to come. He also instructed the Israelites exactly what to do with their unblemished lambs. The events unfolded, ending in this way:

At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead (Exodus 12:29-30).

Thoughts:

The Passover is one of the most significant events in Jewish history. The shedding of blood by an innocent lamb, then placed on the doorframes of their homes, spared their lives from the angel of death. Form this point forward, the Israelites understood what the word “sacrifice” meant. The lamb’s blood saved their lives.

Likewise, the Passover is one of the most significant events in Christian history. What happened in Egypt on that beautiful yet tragic night, foreshadows THE sacrifice of the perfect lamb 1500 years later. The apostle John said it best when he first laid eyes on Jesus, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Today, let’s rejoice in the fact that the righteous blood of our Messiah is brushed over the doorframes of our heart by his own hands of mercy and grace. The “light is on” inside our house because of him. Sit quietly in your sweet salvation for a few moments.

Now, realize this also: just as the Egyptians experienced the flipside of the Passover, those that do not know Jesus will too. Sit quietly in this sorrowful reality for a few moments.

And now I will go back to the main question of our study:

What is God calling you to do?

And the main challenge:

Will you do it?

Who can you talk to about Jesus today? A friend? A stranger? “Relational evangelism” truly is my first choice. But at the same time, I am learning to heed the Spirit when he nudges me, whether it’s at a Jiffy Lube station, on an airplane, or having a conversation with workmen in my home. When I get muddled talking about Jesus, and I do, I must go back and remember this promise: the I AM is with me!

He will put words in my mouth. Sometimes it’s a long conversation with a friend. Other times, like with the Jiffy Lube guy who helped changed the oil in my car, it’s a quick “God loves you; Jesus loves you, and don’t ever forget it.” I must believe that God will honor my willing, yet sometimes feeble attempts of sharing his truth. The bottom line is this, the name of Jesus has power, and HE is the one who softens hearts.

I encourage you to take the challenge of sharing Jesus with someone today. Who right now is on your heart? Believe the Holy Spirit whispered his or her name to you. Try to avoid Moses’ classic statement: O Lord, please send someone else to do it (Ex. 4:13). Think more about the I AM when talking to someone, and just speak the truth. The saving blood of the perfect and final Passover Lamb will do the rest.

Going deeper and sweeter: Psalm 51:15; 1 Peter 1:18-19; John 3:16

Dear Lord,

Make us bold and obedient. Keep nudging us; keep reminding us of your faithfulness and your power. Help our desire to share the news of Jesus be greater than our passivity, our doubt, or our fear. Amen.