When God was about to bring upon Egypt the tenth plague (death of the firstborn), He introduced the Passover (Exodus 12) that would be kept annually by Israel to remember their exodus (going out) from Egypt and deliverance from bondage. This was such a significant time that God established a change of focus on their calendar. We read. . .
“(1) The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, (2) “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.”” (Exodus 12:1-2 ESV)
This was a change of focus from a civil calendar (this being the seventh month of that calendar) to becoming the first month of the sacred calendar (Abib or Nisan). A new year. A new beginning. A fresh start commemorating their freedom.
With this observance beginning on the tenth day of that month (Exodus 12:3), and to be observed for seven days (Exodus 12:15), we further read. . .
“(14) This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.” (Exodus 12:14 ESV)
No bones of this Passover lamb were to be broken. (Exodus 12:46) Such was also the case with Jesus (John 19:33-36) — our paschal (Passover) lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) — who gave Himself for our deliverance from the bondage of sin. Our connection with Him also marks a new beginning for us.
In Paul’s letter to Christians at Rome we read. . .
“(3) Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (4) We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4 ESV)
And in his letter to Christians at Corinth he wrote. . .
“ (17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
Marking the beginning of our relationship with Christ is certainly something to remember. According to Paul, being united with Christ in baptism marks the beginning of new life as we have been delivered from the bondage of sin to begin our journey with Him to the eternal promised land. Praise God for the great deliverance He has made possible and the everlasting hope that is ours in Christ.
Have a great day BEING EVER THANKFUL FOR THE DELIVERANCE WE HAVE RECEIVED!
Carl
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