Deliverance in the Passover
(Exodus 12:3-13; 1 Cor.5:7b)

The children of Israel were delivered from the angel of death because they believed God, as evidenced by what they did to the Passover lamb’s blood. For Israel, the lamb was significant because it:

I. Prepared as a Substitute (Ex. 12:3-7)
A. A lamb was selected for each family.
a. It was to be chosen on the 10th day of the month of Abib, later known as Nisan.

II. Posted as a Sign (Ex. 12:6, 12-13)
A. The blood of the lamb was to be painted on the doorframe of the home.
B. The lamb was to be eaten by the family.
a. Jesus illuminated the meaning of Passover by tying it to the New Covenant.
- “Whereas the Passover commemorated Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the Lord’s Supper points to the ultimate deliverance of God’s people from slavery to sin and death. The Passover looked back to the temporary rescue from physical bondage; the Lord’s Supper commemorates the eternal and spiritual deliverance provided through the new covenant. The lambs slaughtered during the Passover merely foreshadowed the sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God who died on a cross to redeem sinners once for all.”

III. Pointed to a Savior (1 Cor. 5:7b)
A. Christ is our Passover Lamb
a. Prearranged by divine timing – The dates for selection and recognition were identical (Neh. 2:1-8; Luke 19:37–42,44b)
b. Proven by divine truth – the Bible states that Christ is our Passover. (1 Cor. 5:6–8)
c. Jesus is:
1. Is the “Lamb of God” who takes away sin (John 1:29)
2. Is the lamb that is led to the slaughter (Is. 53:7)
3. Is the Lamb without “blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19)
4. Is the perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:10-12)
5. Grants eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12)
6. Causes God’s judgment to Passover us (Rom. 6:23)


John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (Wheaton: Crossway, 2017), 786.
7. Releases us from slavery, sin, and death (Rm. 8:2)
8. Is the Worthy Lamb…slain for people from every nation (Rev. 5:6)

IV. Principle for the Christian
God wants deliverance for everyone but it is only granted to those who by faith, apply the blood of Christ over the doorway of their heart. That is, you must believe or trust in Christ for the forgiveness of your sin and eternal life.