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218. Lamb Selection Day

Exodus 12:1-6
Key Verse: "Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight."
Exodus 12:3-&-6

Four days before the Passover, as the people were selecting their lambs for the feast, Jesus rode into Jerusalem. He was God's selection as the sacrificial lamb for the Passover that would change the world. This was His time, chosen before time began to pave the way to set His people free.

When God first instituted the Feast of Passover, it was to come on the eve of Israel's liberation from their bondage in Egypt. Four days before the original feast, the people were to select their lamb. This selection was to be a careful process. The male lamb was to have no physical blemish that could detract from its perfection. In other ceremonies, if the family was poor enough, God allowed for substitutions to be offered up for sacrifice, often birds. But for Passover, no substitutions were allowed. It had to be a lamb.

Then, because this lamb was to be the sacrifice for that particular family, it was selected by the man, the head of the household and then brought to the family to be cared for over the next four days. In other words, the family would live with their sacrificial lamb. There would be a relationship here, a personal relationship. The lamb wasn't to just be grabbed and slaughtered, but cared for.

It is selection day for the people of Israel again. This time, however, they are in bondage to their sin and their religion. Their religion has not really set them free as they had hoped it would. It has only become more and more impossible to observe as the leaders add new laws and regulations to try to make man Holy, as only man can.

Jesus came to live with His people. He was born in one of their stables. He was raised in one of their communities. He learned as they learned. He walked as they walked. He served them and was handled by them. As the lamb became a part of the family for a short time, Jesus became a part of humanity for a brief moment in time. He allowed Himself to be known by those who cared to know Him, knowing all along that the cross was in view.

The Lamb is coming, coming to live with them, seated on a donkey, the foal of a donkey, to truly set His people free once and for all. Rejoice O daughter of Zion! Rejoice O Daughter of Jerusalem!" (Zech. 9:9A) Hosanna, He is coming! Hosanna, He is here!"

Hymn: "Hosanna, Hosanna!"

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