EXODUS 12:1-10 A LAMB... THE LAMB... YOUR LAMB There was an uneasy foreboding that settled across the land of Egypt as if all the people were holding their breath in dread of what would happen next. In the land of Goshen, the people of God would have been growing increasingly certain of God over "the gods you served before the flood." As moral and spiritual darkness settles over the world today, those who know the Lord personally and can say with assurance to God, "Abba Father," can see increasing brightness in the "eastern sky" of our faith as we look for the Lord to come. Deliverance is coming as the Lord Jesus Christ promised.
Pharaoh had his mind made up long before the plagues began that he was the supreme ruler. He was the greatest of all in his own eyes. All of the terrible, destructive events that had decimated his country did not soften his heart at all. The attempts at compromise he made were simply stalling tactics that he thought would get him past the present distress. Never did he intend to submit to the God of heaven. He just wanted God to stay out of Egypt and leave his country alone so he could get back to his own way. Even so, God gave him many opportunities to repent and change his mind. God says, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked." But judgment does follow the rejection of divine mercy, grace and love.
Then God began to deal with Israel that had been spared from the plagues and had learned by observation that "If God be for us, who can be against us." His instructions to Moses and Aaron were very precise. "A lamb" was to be selected from among all of the other lambs because of its visible perfection. The was no question as to moral perfection because it was to be a sacrifice of a sinless nature and animals are not moral creatures. In that way a lamb is a sinless creature able to be a substitute for a sinful person temporarily. The Lord Jesus Christ was of a sinless perfect nature. His moral standards are written on the hearts of humans who have been made in the image of God. The sinless, Eternal Son of God remarkably "was found in fashion as a man." He who always was, and always will be the Eternal God, became like us in our humanity apart from sin, for He was spotless in His character. In that way He could be a perfect substitute for us.
A lamb that was selected from the flock was from then on, known as "the lamb." For three and a half days the lamb was carefully scrutinized lest some hidden defect, either inward or outward, be found in it making it unsuitable for a sacrificial substitute for the firstborn. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world and was hidden in relative obscurity for thirty years. When He came out of obscurity at His baptism by John in the Jordan River, He was identified by John as "The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." For three and a half years of careful scrutiny He was watched from every angle. Some said, "Never man spake like this Man." Others said, "We have never seen it on this wise before." Peter said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Pilate said, "I find no fault in this just Man." The centurion and those with him said, "Truly this Man is the Son of God." The inward and outward perfections of Christ assure us that He and He alone is "The Lamb of God" who can satisfy the righteous demands of a Holy God.
As the firstborn learned, "a lamb" became "the lamb" that would die as the substitute for the firstborn. He would recognize that special little animal was going to die in his place even though it had done no wrong. Only because it was perfect would it die as an acceptable sacrifice. The Lord Jesus Christ was "A Lamb" and "The Lamb." Of that there is no question. Now we are able to go to the final and most important step. "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast." Every aspect of perfection God demanded is seen in the perfections of the Lord Jesus Christ - the Lamb that God provided.
God in His grace has made it possible that we can live forever because "A Lamb" that became "The Lamb" is now "Your Lamb." God is satisfied to accept me on the basis of the perfect substitute for me - the Lord Jesus Christ.
Out in the field who would have known which the chosen one would be. But one special lamb was carefully observed and subjected to scrutiny. The head and the feet, the eyes and the ears, the fleece and even the nose - Would be checked over with very concerned eyes to see which lamb would be chose.
Watched carefully and kept safely lest some hidden fault be seen, The Lamb became the center of attention, nothing else could come between. Life and death were in the balance, perfection was what was needed. The firstborn knew he would die if God's instructions were not heeded.
Under the condemnation of our nature upon which sin was passed, We needed a lamb to take our place lest we lose our soul at last. God provided a Lamb of His choice who satisfied His righteous claim. There is no other who is suitable, the Lord Jesus Christ is His name.
It isn't enough to know we need "a lamb," we need Him personally. God's Lamb has been provided as "The Lamb" who on the cross died for me. So now I have not just any lamb, but the One who took my place. The "Lord Jesus" is "my Lamb" who has saved me by His grace.
There is no need now for me to fear though I know judgment is coming soon. Not only for me did the Lord Jesus die, I can tell others "Yet there is room" For them to come into the kingdom of God by taking Christ as their personal Lamb. Then they too will be ready when called to make the journey into the "promised land."
There are many today who tell to others there are many ways to come to God. It is my responsibility to make sure they believe according to His Holy Word. Everyone needs a Lamb and the Lamb needed is the Lord Jesus Christ alone. A person knows Jesus as their personal Lamb, I am safe all the way to my heavenly home.
"Father, with gratitude I thank Thee today for the Lord Jesus taking my place as my Substitute. I thank Thee that He is my Lamb. Help me today to plainly proclaim the Gospel so others will be saved. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."