This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of March 22, 2015. This message looks at the Passover as recorded in Exodus chapter 12, and draws attention to the picture of Jesus Christ which it portrays. You will find audio of the sermon, and my sermon notes below. Please note that the notes are not a complete transcript, they are only notes. For the complete message, you should listen to the audio.
SERMON AUDIO:
SERMON NOTES:
Jesus, Our Passover / Exodus 12:1-13
BACKGROUND:
The Israelites had spent several generations enslaved in Egypt
Gad had sent Moses to intercede on his behalf and to be his voice to Pharaoh and had already sent nine plagues that had devastated Egypt, but each time pharaoh hardened his heart.
1. Turning the Nile into blood
2. Frogs
3. Lice
4. Swarm of Flies
5. Killing of the Egyptian Livestock
6. Boils
7. Hail
8. Locusts
9. Darkness
God had decided that the time was right to deliver his people from bondage.
God was about to unleash the tenth and final plague, the killing of all of the firstborn of Egypt
But what was the Passover all about?
vv.1-2
A NEW BEGINNING:
The Time of the Passover marked the beginning of a new year, a new life, and a new promise.
Just as the Israelites were freed from the bondage of slavery, when we accept Jesus, we are delivered from the bondage of sin, and the fires of hell.
It constitutes a new beginning – a new life. For we are born again.
vv.3-6
THE PASSOVER INSTRUCTIONS:
v.5a – Unblemished Lamb:
Jesus was the perfect lamb of God, without sin, the sacrifice for our sins.
John 1:36
2 Corinthians 5:21
vv. 3-6:
On the tenth day it is to be separated from the rest of the flock, and kept until the fourteenth day.
Christ had 4 days of separation from His public ministry, and ultimately His separation by arrest.
He was eventually examined and his Spotless innocence was declared before the world.
Luke Chapters 22-23.
- DAY ONE:
the Passover (The Lord’s Supper), Jesus prays all night in the garden.
- DAY TWO:
Jesus betrayed and arrested. Peter denies Jesus three times, the cock crows thrice.
- DAYS THREE AND FOUR:
Jesus is taken before Pilate, who finds him innocent.
Pilate sends Jesus to Herod, who finds no fault.
Jesus is taken back before Pilate, who again declares his innocence and tries to release him.
The crowd chooses Barabbas instead. Jesus is Crucified.
In verse 46 (exodus 12:46) we see that no bones are to be broken.
In John 19:31-33, we see that Jesus’ legs were not broken, contrary to the usual custom.
We see also that the blood was to be applied to the doorposts. This Illustrates the redeeming power of Jesus’ blood. His blood saves us from death.
Death would pass over these houses. It is no accident that the crucifixion and resurrection happened during the Passover.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provides our eternal passover. No longer do we have to fear death.
THE MENU:
Unleavened bread: Leaven (yeast) in the scripture is often used as a metaphor for sin
For the bread to be unleavened, was to be without sin
Jesus was perfect, without sin.
Bitter herbs: They were not pleasing to eat, probably very hard to stomach
They represent the bitter and painful suffering that Jesus endured on our behalf.
The lamb was roasted over a fire, no water was to be used in its preparation. Nothing is to be mixed with or added to Christ.
Jesus and his word must be taken without being diluted or compromised
Proverbs 30:5-6
Jesus was denied water while he was on the cross.
John 19:28–29
Hyssop was a bitter herb
They were to completely eat the lamb
1. We cannot take Jesus at our own convenience, with Jesus it is all or nothing
2. Jesus said, if you’re not working for me, you are working against me
3. Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.
DINNING INSTRUCTIONS:
They were given specific dining instructions, as well.
They were to be fully clothed, including shoes and staff
1. These were their traveling clothes
2. They were to be ready to go, no time to linger
Matthew 24:44
They were told to eat hastily
1. Now is the time of salvation, it could be disastrous to wait
2 Corinthians 6:2
2. We don’t know when the end will come.
1 Thessalonians 5:2–3
CONCLUSION:
It was in the upper room that the Passover obtained its real meaning and deepest significance.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on March 22, 2015
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