We Too Have Experienced the Passover

We all know the story of how the Israelites were spared when the death angel took the firstborn of all the Egyptian families. When it gets close to Easter, I often imagine (most likely spurred on by the movie The Ten Commandments) what it was like for the Egyptians and the Israelites that night! They had already lived through all the other plagues, nowhere was the most impactful of them all! Can you imagine killing the lamb and painting your door post with the blood? As dramatic as all of that is, the part of the story that fascinates me the most is the specificity of the instructions! This portion in particular pushes my thoughts towards the resurrection and guides me to what I am to do until He comes again.

I believe that I have the best job at the church, I am privileged to minister to those that are hurting. Someone summed it up in a nutshell for me on time and said that it was ministry to the sick, dying, and dead (or at least their families). It’s more complicated and broader than that, but nonetheless, it is my calling and passion. I see the Lord’s instructions to me as clearly as if they were the ones being given to the Israelites in Exodus 12: keep your cloak tucked in your belt (dress ready to serve); your sandals on your feet (good comfortable attractive shoes on your feet because you do a lot of walking at hospitals and funerals); your staff in your hand (don’t leave home without your Bible); and eat in haste (you never know when you need to be on the go)!

Because the Israelites were obedient and painted the doorpost with the blood of the Lamb, the Angle of Death passed over them, and their firstborn children were spared. Because they were diligent to follow His commands in Exodus 12:11, they were ready to go when Pharaoh ordered them to leave the next morning. We were passed over for the payment of our sin, and Christ was sacrificed for our sins. His blood washes us clean and our penalty was paid.

So how does this relate to us as a church? The Lord wanted the Israelites to be ready to move. He also wants us to be ready to move. When He calls, we should be ready to go! We have seen God bless First Baptist Church since our pastor came. We are no longer a dying relic in the heart of downtown Dallas. We are a thriving, living, breathing body of believers. But the work is not done!

Key Passage

I challenge you to get dressed, get your shoes on, grab your Bible, and find a place to join us as we serve a risen Lord.

Questions for Thought

1. Are you ready to serve? Remember God does not just call the equipped, He equips the called!
2. Are you prepared to act when He calls?