Reflections of Passover and Easter

This week is Holy Week for both Jews and Gentiles as we reflect on our common rituals and remember the sacrifices made for us. It is a time to consider what we were before the Lord came. We were all sinners in God's sight, not worthy of his notice. He had compassion for our plight, and sent his son to save us. Most of us rebelled. We didn't think we needed to be saved. We were thinking in one dimension, not two dimensions. We were blinded by our own arrogance and pride....much like Pharaoh was when he refused to let the Israelis go. He, like we do, needed to be literally shown that it was in his best interest. We do balk, not understanding what the Lord has in mind for us. We reject him repeatedly. Yet he didn't turn his back on us. He could have. There was no reason why he should have let his son suffer so....nor was there any reason why Jesus decided to die for us.

When I reflect on this season, I am awestruck by the extreme sacrifice. Jesus didn't take the easy way out....Moses didn't take the easy way out either. Both followed God, even when it seemed as if nothing made any sense. By taking the mantle on, and leading the people out of Egypt, Moses followed the Lord's command. The Passover that is even now celebrated today reflects the sacrifice made by the Israelis who followed Moses out of Egypt....That sacrifice of a lamb whose shed blood marked the doorways of the houses occupied by the Israelis symbolizes the fact that the angels sent to slay the firstborn were deterred by the blood. The angels "passed over" the houses marked with the blood of the lamb.

That blood was also shed on the cross....Jesus is known as the Lamb of God. It was his sacrifice that paved the way for us to be free of our sins. We rejoice knowing that he is risen....He is risen indeed!