Jesus - Our Passover Lamb

Exodus 12:1-14, John 1:29, 36

Introduction:

John the Baptist introduced some people to the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God.  I am sure that some of these people immediately thought to those verses in the book of Exodus that we have used as our text.  Every year since the children of Israel came out of Egypt, they celebrated the Passover.  The first Passover was when the husband took the blood and sprinkled it upon the doorpost and a lamb had to die and to be eaten as the Lord commanded.

In Exodus chapter twelve, we see a progression involved with the lamb.  In verse three we see “a” lab.  I see this as an abstract.  It could be any lamb.  But in verse four the wording is changed to “the” lamb.  I see this as an absolute.  In the book of John, John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God.  There is no doubt about it.  Jesus is the Lamb of God.  But in verse five we see the final progression.  The wording is changed to “your” lamb.  This is the assurance. 

Before February 10, 1976 Jesus Christ was “a” lamb in my life.  I had heard about Him.  I knew He existed but He was just “a” lamb.  Then as the truths of God’s word were preached, He became “the” lamb.  I knew that I would only go to Heaven by receiving the Lamb of God as my Lord and Savior.  But on February 10, 1976, He became my lamb.  Jesus took my sins upon Him so that I could to Heaven.  He not only took my sins, He also took the sins of everyone who would ever believe.

Today we want to look at the lamb that was used in the Passover and then examine our Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God.  We will see Him as the Special Lamb, the Selected Lamb and the Slain Lamb.

I.     HE WAS THE SPECIAL LAMB

A.    The lamb for the Passover was to be a spotless lamb.

B.  The lamb for the Passover was to be a sinless lamb. - 1^st Peter 2:21-24; Hebrews 4:15

Let’s see seven areas that will include His whole life as the spotless, sinless Lamb.

1.      He was the master of every situation, taking exactly the right action to fit the circumstances.  Never having to seek advice before acting and never having to retract or apologizing after he acted.

2.      He never had to ask for permission, since He always spoke with authority or forgiveness, since He never said or did anything amiss.

3.      He had no consciousness of sins or shortcomings in His life yet never conveying any impression of pride or pretense of holiness in His manner.

4.      He was never fearful of anything and could be overpowering bold when occasion required it and yet He was gentle and meek in the highest degree.

5.      His words were always perfectly chosen to fit the need of absolute purity and wholesomeness, never trivial, always relevant and meaningful.

6.      He never complained about His circumstances in spite of weariness, hunger, poverty, persecution and rejection but instead provided continual encouragement and comfort to others.

7.      He was equally confident and authoritative with friends and enemies; common people or leaders; never flustered or confused what to say or do regardless of the company or circumstances. 1^st Peter 1:19

II.    HE WAS THE SELECTED LAMB.

       A.  Angels could not be the lamb.

        B.  Animals could not be the Lamb.

C.   Man could not be the Lamb.

Why?  They are created creatures.  It took One who was sinless and so God Himself could only be the Lamb. - Genesis 3:15

III.   HE WAS THE SLAIN LAMB.

Isaiah 53

A.        His death was sufficient.  This is found to be true because

1.    It took away all my sin. - Hebrews 9:22

2.   It made me a child of God. -2^nd Corinthians 5:21

3.    It justified me.    Romans 3:23-26

B.        His death was a suffering death.

1.    The mode of His death- crucifixion

2.    The mocking at His death

3.   The marvel of His death is that He was willing to die.

4.   The melody of His death - Revelation 5:9-14

        C.   His death was satisfying.  Romans 5:9

1.   It satisfied the Holiness of God.

2.   It satisfied the honor of God.

        D.   His death was and still is strength.

1.   Over sin

2.   Over Satan - Revelation 12:11

Conclusion:

	Have you taken this Lamb to be your Lamb?  His death was for you too.    Romans 5:8
	Christ’s death on the cross is the highest form of love. - John 3:16 “For God”- the greatest Lover “So loved”- the greatest love “the world”- the greatest loser “He gave His only begotten Son”- the greatest gift “that whosoever believeth in Him” – the greatest invitation “”should not” - the greatest guarantee “perish” - the greatest escape “but have everlasting life”- the greatest life.
	Why carry the burden of sin when Jesus says come?
	Matthew 11:28
	Isaiah 1:18