ICS Daily Devotions
Power In The Blood Of Jesus
Exodus 12:22-23,26-27 And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you…. And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’” So, the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
Egypt was a very idolatrous nation during the time of the Passover and strangers to the covenant of promise. Among other things, Passover was also a judgment against all the gods of Egypt. It was a statement of God’s power as nobody could protect them.
Just as Egypt is presented in the Bible as a place of slavery for the Israelites, it is also represented as a place of slavery for mankind to sin. Egypt represented mankind in his natural state which is sinful, guilty, in enmity with God, living in the desires and lusts of the carnal mind, away from God and under God’s judgment.
The application of the blood on the two doorposts was not just a sign to God but a strong reminder to the people of Israel that they needed Him. God is omniscient; therefore, He was able to separate the Egyptians and the Israelites, especially during the 10 plagues. The application of the blood was for the Israelites to have faith in the word of God and they were saved by faith in the blood. They had to have faith that they would be kept secured and immune to the destroyer. They needed to choose to believe in the instruction to kill a lamb, take refuge in the blood marked house and safety would be with them. It was a teaching regarding sin, the consequences of sin, the sacrificial system, and atonement. It was a preparation for the future. God knows the beginning to the end. It is the emphasis that blood has to be shed for our sin in order for God to accept us. It is the doorposts marked by blood that the Israelites were spared while Egyptians received judgment.
It is a very clear teaching on the importance of the blood in order to be accepted by God. It is consistent with the teaching as to why God rejected Cain’s sacrifice of the first fruit and accepted Abel’s sacrifice of an animal. Nobody should use their own effort or good works to earn his salvation because it is impossible to be accepted by God in that manner. The salvation comes on God’s terms, not ours.
Exodus 12:23b. And when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.
The blood of the Lamb was to be applied in four places – the top, sides, and bottom of the door – forming the points of the cross, and showing where Jesus’ blood would stain the wood – from his head, hands, and feet.
One thing that set the Israelites apart was their covenant with God through their forefathers. The blood was applied and that alone brought salvation. The blood on the door meant that Israel acknowledged that they were sinners and deserved judgment for their sins. It also showed that they had accepted God’s plan of dealing with sin by the sacrifice of a lamb without blemish.
The Passover is just a type and shadow of what Christ was going to do. Likewise, we are expected to have faith in the blood of Jesus. There are many scriptures in the Bible that tell us there is power in the blood of Jesus.
Col 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
There is redemption in the blood of Jesus that reconciles us with God. The blood of Jesus offers the forgiveness of sins and purifies us from all sin so that we are made holy and righteous before Him. Hence, it is the blood of Jesus that gives us the ability to stand before the throne of God boldly as sons and daughters in the Kingdom of God! There is power in the blood of Jesus!
Sermon series: Cell Group Campaign Session 4 – The Passover
