THE LAMB having been slain and its blood sprinkled on the doorposts of their dwellings, the children of Israel were to remain inside until the morning. Inside they could well be at peace, knowing that God saw the blood outside, for He had said, “When I see the blood I will pass over you.” Peace with God is founded upon the blood of Christ. It is God’s estimation of the blood of His dear Son that makes it effective in clearing away all sin and guilt from His sight. His love tard His people has found the means of satisfying His justice. The moment His eye rests on the blood of Jesus, His whole moral nature is satisfied, and He as righteously spares those who are under its protection, as He smites the Egyptians.
“And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.” “Roast with fire” speaks of the Lord Jesus, God’s Lamb, enduring the wrath of God when He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. In the unleavened bread we have the thought of purity, holiness and the absence of evil. The only way we can enjoy thinking of Christ in His sufferings and death is to walk in separation from evil. The “bitter herbs” speak of repentance and self-judgment in the presence of God, as we think of what it cost the Lord Jesus to put away our sins.
Furthermore, they were not to eat of it raw, for we cannot have part with Christ except through His death. It was not to be “sodden” (or boiled) with water. The Lord Jesus was exposed to the full, unsparing judgment of God against our sins on the cross. “His head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof"—all the thoughts, the actions, and the inward motives of the Lord Jesus were part of the sacrifice He made and which was of such infinite delight to God. How wonderful the love of God that He should deliver up His beloved Son to such a death for us!
The children of Israel were to feast upon the lamb at the same time their safety was secured by the blood on the door. They would think of how that blood was screening them from judgment on that memorable night, while they feasted in safety within on the lamb that had passed through the fire instead of them. The solemnity of death was felt. Surely their hearts must have been lifted up in praise and thanksgiving to God that night for the grace that had provided such a means of deliverance and safety.
Thus we have in the Passover the blood sprinkled and the lamb roast with fire. The believer, enjoying communion with his Lord and Saviour, knowing the world’s fare cannot satisfy, will certainly hunger for nothing else than Christ.
ML-02/16/1969