From the lamb sacrificed for the Passover meal, blood was to be brushed onto the lintel and doorposts of every Hebrew home in Egypt. Why such a messy, bloody sign?
The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:13).
God’s people were identified by a distinguishing mark of blood. Was this a sign of their righteousness? Nope. Israel was just as guilty as Egypt of sinning against the Most High God. After 430 years of enslavement (Exodus 12:40-41), there was more of Egypt in Israel than godliness. The reality is, there was nothing among the behavior or the practices of Israel at this point in time that separated them from the Egyptians—except the distinguishing mark of blood painted on their doorways.
The reason Israel was spared from the tenth plague was not because they were righteous or even because they were Israel. The Israelites were spared only because the blood of an innocent lamb was interposed between them and the judgment (wrath) of God. That is the only reason they were spared.
We are no different. We all deserve judgment (Romans 3:23). Some of us are covered by the blood of a Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8 KJV; 1 Peter 1:18-20) and it passes over us. Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved…” (John 10:9, emphasis mine).
We are only delivered into newness of life through the blood of an innocent other. On the day of judgment yet to come, our only hope will be a gifted righteousness—the imputed righteousness of Jesus credited to us (Romans 4).
Sunday School for all ages begins weekly at 9:45 AM. All are warmly welcome.
