086. 1CO 5:7. THE PASSOVER

1Co_5:7. The Passover

"Christ, our passover is sacrificed for us"’971Co_5:7

There was scarcely a sacrifice under the law, but what had some typical reference to Christ. The slain and scapegoats particularly exhibited the nature and de sign of Christ’s mediatorial work. None did this in a more striking and illustrious way than the feast of the passover, and we have the authority of the text for confidently affirming that "Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for us," &c. In showing the resemblance between the passover and the sacrifice of Christ, observe,

I. The Appointment of the Passover.

1. It was appointed by God.

The whole was the result of the Divine arrangement. The Lord gave orders in reference to the whole of it, to Moses and Aaron; Exo_12:3, &c. So the appointment of Christ was of God, he "gave him." "sent him," "delivered him up," &c.

2. It was appointed in connection with the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt.

So Christ came to deliver us from darkness, slavery, and the wrath to come. Notice,

II. The Animal selected.

1. It was a lamb.

So Christ is repeatedly called, on account of his innocence, meekness, humility, patience, &c.; Isa_53:7; Joh_1:29; 1Pe_1:19; Rev_5:6, Rev_5:12-13, &c.; Rev_7:10, Rev_7:14.

2. It was to be a male of a year old, and without blemish.

Denoting perfection of kind; not weakly, infirm, nor diseased. So Christ was altogether perfect, without spot, &c.; Heb_7:26.

3. The lamb was to be separated from the flock, to be devoted to this purpose.

Exo_12:5. So was Christ separated and appointed to this work. Separated to this in the divine designs and purposes, prophecies, in his birth, life, &c. He appeared in our world for this end. &c. Notice,

4. It was to be kept alive four days after its separation.

So Christ was separated and distinguish ed as the world’s promised Redeemer, for about four thousand years, and a thousand years is with the Lord as one day. Observe,

III. The Sacrificing of the Paschal Lamb.

1. The lamb was to be slain.

So Jesus was to be put to death. Life offered a ransom. "Thou wast slain;" Rev_5:9.

2. It was to be slain before the whole assembly.

Exo_12:6. So Christ was thus publicly put to death.

3. It was to be slain in the evening.

So Christ was offered in the evening of he world, in the last days; also in the evening of the day, about three o’clock in the afternoon, supposed to be about the time the Jews were offering the paschal lamb. Observe,

IV. The Mode of receiving the Paschal Feast.

1. The sacrifice was to be roasted with fire.

Exo_12:8. The fastening of the lamb to the instrument for this purpose, strikingly exhibited the manner of Christ’s death by the cross, when his soul, too, was offered to God, and mystically consumed by the fire of divine wrath, which otherwise would have consumed the whole family of man.

2. Not a bone of the lamb was to be broken.

How wonderfully this was fulfilled in reference to Christ! Joh_19:36.

3. All the flesh of the lamb was to be eaten.

So Christ is to be received, and spiritually eaten; Joh_6:54. Several particulars here deserve notice.

(1) It was to be eaten only by Israelites, or those who were believing proselytes. Christ only received by faith.

(2) It was to be eaten standing; Exo_12:11, &c. So those who receive Christ must be ready to follow Christ, &c. To leave the vanities of the world, and be crucified to it.

(3) It was to be eaten with bitter herbs. Either denoting the sorrow of heart on account of sin, as expressed in Zec_12:10, or the crosses and sorrows a profession of Christ would ensure.

(4) It was to be eaten with unleavened bread. Denoting the love, sincerity, and truth with which we are to receive and profess Christ; see ver. 8. Notice,

4. The blood of the slain lamb was to be sprinkled on the door-posts of their dwellings.

Exo_12:22. So the blood of Jesus is to be applied to the hearts and consciences of believers; Heb_10:22. Notice,

5. The blessed result was, that such families were preserved from the destroying angel.

So by a personal reception of Christ, and the application of his blood, we are delivered from condemnation and eternal death, and finally enter the land of rest.

Application

All who do not receive upon their souls the blood of Christ, our paschal lamb, must inevitably perish.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS