Saved By The Lamb’s Blood Alone
Introduction
Remember something as we proceed in this TEACHING! The Bible is totally A COVENANT BOOK, a COVENANT DOCUMENT about THE COVENANT GOD AND HIS COVENANT PEOPLE!
AND COVENANT IS BASICALLY THIS:
1. AN ABSOLUTE GIVING AWAY OF EACH OTHER, TO EACH OTHER, AND ABSOLUTE POSSESSION OF EACH OTHER!
2. Or, as Jeremiah 31:33 puts it,
“I SHALL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”
3. And all of THAT WAS ALWAYS SEALED by the SHEDDING OF BLOOD, it is BLOOD COVENANT!
And, always as the CLIMAX OF THAT COVENANT:
1. They would have a MEAL, A COVENANT MEAL, repeated again and again throughout THEIR LIFE!
2. So that THEY COULD REMEMBER VIVIDLY THE COVENANT between THEM MADE!
The North American equivalent to that is the AMERICAN INDIAN, SMOKING HIS PIPE OF PEACE:
1. The symbol of covenant entered into among the red Indians!
2. And in Israel, they had A MEAL TOGETHER:
-It was A MEAL, in which THEY RECOGNIZED that they WERE BOUND TO GOD AND TO EACH OTHER.
-And they would always REMEMBER that it was THE MEMORIAL MEAL OF THE COVENANT!
-And, THE COVENANT MEMORIAL MEAL OF THE OLD TESTAMENT IS THE ONE WHICH WE HAVE BEFORE US TONIGHT- THE PASSOVER!
-And, it leads right on into the memorial meal in the New Covenant!
*******
I. FIRST – SOME COVENANT HISTORY!
-God has ENTERED COVENANT, Israel IS GOD’S COVENANT PEOPLE! God HAD MADE COVENANT with Abraham, their father.
-And, NOW ISRAEL has been in Captivity in Egypt. If you read Exodus 1-11, YOU SEE THEM IN HORRIBLE SLAVERY!
-In fact, Exodus 12:40 tells us,
“THAT THEY WERE IN THAT HORRIBLE CONDITION 430 YEARS!”
And GOD SAYS:
1. You ARE MY PEOPLE, and because YOU ARE MY PEOPLE, I am coming to Deliver You!
2. In fact, the message of God through Moses was Exodus. 5:1, “LET MY PEOPLE GO!” (Covenant possession)
3. If you TOUCH THOSE PEOPLE YOU TOUCH ME, because WE ARE IN COVENANT, BOUND TOGETHER.
AND NOW WE COME TO THE FINALE OF GOD’S COVENANT DELIVERANCE:
1. When God is GOING TO PASS THROUGH THE LAND OF EGYPT IN JUDGEMENT UPON THEM!
2. And it is A JUDGEMENT UPON SIN, including ISRAEL, FOR ALL HAVE SINNED!
*******
II. THE HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT COVENANT MEAL!
SELECTING THE LAMB:
1. God says to ISRAEL that there is A CERTAIN WAY that I am going to DELIVER YOU FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN – SLAVERY IN EGYPT!
2. And I want you to listen to all of this VERY CAREFULLY! He gives them detailed instructions! Exodus 12:2-3,
“ON THE 10th DAY OF THE MONTH, THE FIRST MONTH OF YEAR TO THEM.”
1. That MONTH WAS THE MONTH OF NISSON, corresponding TO OUR MONTH OF APRIL!
2. So, THE IMPORTANT DAY was April 10, something important was to be done! Exodus 12:3-5,
“A LAMB WAS TO BE TAKEN, A LAMB PER HOUSEHOLD.”
a. But not just any LAMB, rather, such A PARTICULAR LAMB that WAS WITHOUT ANY BLEMISH.
b. And that LAMB was to be kept alive for 3 1/2 days, and Jewish RABBINICAL TRADITION TELLS US WHY!
c. THEY EXAMINED, WATCHED THAT LAMB for about THREE DAYS, TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY BLEMISHES, PECULIARITIES!
d. They examined every square inch of that little beast, even examining its eye‑lids! (NOT ONE BLEMISH ALLOWED)
***
KILLING THE LAMB:
Exodus 12:6,
“THE LAMB ON THE 14th DAY WAS SLAIN IN THE EVENING.”
1. In your margin – about the 9th to the 11th hour, the LITTLE BEAST WAS SLAIN!
2. That works out to before twilight, about 3:00 in the afternoon, the HEAD OF THE FAMILY KILLED THE LAMB!
3. But before HE DID THAT, HE WOULD EXPLAIN TO HIS CHILDREN WHAT WAS HAPPENING:
a. He would tell them that THE JUDGEMENT of God is coming upon EGYPT TONIGHT! JUDGING ALL SIN!
b. And it is at NIGHT, the FIRST BORN OF EVERY HOUSE WILL DIE, BUT THERE IS A WAY OUT.
c. If, son, we TAKE A BLEMISHLESS LAMB, and trust God, God will JUDGE THE LAMB INSTEAD OF US!
d. It is incredible:
“THE JEWS IN EGYPT KILLED THE LAMBS UNTO THEIR SALVATION, AND THE
JEWS OF JERUSALEM CRUCIFIED THE LAMB UNTO THEIR DAMNATION.”
-Yes, shocking:
“IT IS TRULY DEVASTATING HOW SATAN CAN BLIND PEOPLE’S EYES
TO THE SAME PROPHECY AND FULFILLMENT. THEY WERE THE
PROPHECY, BUT DENIED THEIR OWN FULFILLMENT.”
Hear it:
“AS WITH THE JEWS, SO WITH ALL MEN, SALVATION COMES AS WHOLLY
A FREE GIFT, AND DAMNATION UPON FULLY DESERVING.”
***
PAINTING THE BLOOD:
Exodus 12:7,
“TAKE THE BLOOD, STRIKE IT ON THE SIDE AND UPPER DOOR POSTS
OF EACH HOUSE.”
1. You see, Dad would TAKE BLOOD IN A BASIN, go out DOORS WITH A PIECE OF HYSSOP!
2. HYSSOP was a WEED THAT GREW EVERYWHERE, thick enough to serve as a paint brush!
3. And, DIPPED IT IN THE BLOOD BASIN, painted IT ASIDE AND ABOVE THE DOOR, but not on THE DOOR STEP, don’t walk on the blood!
4. He would go IN THE HOUSE WITH THE FAMILY, now SHELTERED, PROTECTED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB.
5. THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB saved THE HOUSEHOLD, when APPLIED BY THE FATHER, from JUDGEMENT.
***
EATING THE LAMB:
–Exodus 12:8-9,
“EAT THE FLESH, ROASTED IN FIRE, WITH UNLEAVENED BREAD
AND BITTER HERBS!”
1. And, God emphasized – IT MUST NOT BE BOILED IN WATER, but ENTIRETY ROASTED, BARBECUED.
2. And, if you work OUT HOW MANY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, 100’s of 1000’s of families and A BARBECUED LAMB PER FAMILY!
3. It is possible that some 250,000 plus LAMBS WERE ROASTED THAT AFTERNOON, you could smell it all over EGYPT!
4. Don’t let anyone BOIL IT, for I WANT EVERYONE in the LAND TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON, everyone!
***
BE DRESSED TO TRAVEL:
–Exodus. 12:11,
“EAT LAMB WITH LOINS GIRDED, SHOES ON FEET, STAFF IN HAND,
EAT IT QUICKLY!”
1. Remember, this WAS A SLAVE CAMP, AND THE SLAVE MASTERS WOULD COME AND CHECK ON their charges. What a sight they saw!
2. GIRDED LOINS, i.e., SKIRT PULLED UP AROUND WAIST, STANDING BY THE TABLE, SHOES ON, STAFF IN HAND, EATING LAMB RAPIDLY!
a. You see, THEY BELIEVED GOD WAS GOING TO GET THEM OUT OF THERE AND SAVE THEM!
b. By SUNUP TOMORROW, THEY BELIEVED THEY WOULD BE SAVED, and THEY ATE IN A HURRY! ALL BY FAITH!
c. And, as they WERE EATING, THE JUDGEMENT OF GOD FELL UPON ALL THOSE IN THE LAND, NOT PROTECTED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB!
d. Those UNDER THE BLOOD were SAVED FROM SIN JUDGEMENT, and WERE FREE FROM THE HAND OF THE ENEMY! AND OUT THEY WENT!
*******
III. AND REMEMBER THE ISRAELITES WHO WERE SAVED AND DELIVERED!
Can you imagine working for 430 years in the slave pits? Museums in Egyptian history will tell you this! You confront their HISTORY:
a. The Israelites were HUMAN MACHINES, making THE MUD BRICKS that were used TO MAKE THE PYRAMIDS AND THE TREASURE CITIES OF EGYPT!
b. They would STAND IN MUD UP TO THEIR WAIST, walking back and forth, TO MAKE THE MUDMIX FOR BRICKS.
c. They would FALL IN WEARINESS, DIE THERE, AND many of ISRAELITES DIDN’T MAKE IT!
-They were A SICK WEAK, PEOPLE, BEATEN EVERY DAY, it was HORRIBLE, THE SLIME PITS OF EGYPT.
-But, we find in the Bible that:
a. When they went out, there WASN’T A FEEBLE ONE AMONG THEM, after THEY HAD EATEN THAT LAMB!
b. They WALKED OUT OF THERE WEALTHY, STRONG, AND READY FOR A MANY-YEARED DESERT JOURNEY – A MIRACLE OF HEALING!
c. It all occurred after THEY ATE THE LAMB. Psalm 103:37-38,
“AND THERE WAS NOT A FEEBLE PERSON AMONG THEIR TRIBES, EGYPT WAS
GLAD WHEN THEY DEPARTED, FOR FEAR OF THEM FELL UPON THEM.”
***
-Amazing, around 2 million people marching OUT OF EGYPT:
a. But NOTICE THEIR COVENANT BOND, they all WALK OUT UNDER THE BLOOD and WITH LAMB IN THEIR STOMACHS!
b. They are UNITED IN ABSOLUTE BOND, and God makes a great deal of it in Exodus. 12:1-14!
-One WHOLE LAMB had TO BE INSIDE ONE WHOLE FAMILY, A LAMB PER FAMILY, AND A LAMB IN EACH INDIVIDUAL!
-Every family that WALKS OUT OF EGYPT HAS THIS IN COMMON WITH EVERY OTHER FAMILY, A LAMB IN EACH FAMILY!
-And, every individual walking out has this in common, with every other individual, a Lamb in each one!
-2 Million people, about 257,000 families and 257,000 lambs in each individual and each family!
c. The Rob Bells and the Joel Osteens of our day teach UNIVERSALISM, that is, THAT ALL MEN WILL BE SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB. Fact:
“ONLY THOSE WHO ARE COVERED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB, AND HAVE
THE LAMB IN THEIR HEARTS WILL BE DELIVERED FROM
DIVINE JUDGMENT.”
Again:
“UNIVERALISTS LACK ALL SENSE OF THE HISTORY OF REDEMPTION, AND HAVE
TURNED THE CHRISTIAN PASSOVER (THE LORD’S SUPPER) INTO NOTHING
MORE THAN A DINNER PARTY THAT CAN BE SHARED WITH ALL MEN.”
Hear it:
“PEOPLE WERE BOUND TOGETHER, INDIVIDUAL BY INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY
BY FAMILY, JOINED IN LAMBNESS!”
-Not one person with beef, another with fish, another with lamb, but all JOINED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB, AND THE LAMB JOINED IN THEM AND JOINING THEM!
***
-AND AS SOON AS THEY WALKED OUT, UNDER THE BLOOD, AND WITH THE LAMB INSIDE THEM:
a. Immediately they were led according to Exodus 13:21,
“BY A PILLAR OF CLOUD BY DAY, AND BY A PILLAR OF FIRE BY NIGHT!”
b. And, it all CAME OVER THE PEOPLE, and WENT BEFORE THEM. Exodus 13:21,
“IT WAS THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.”
c. THAT GLORY WAS THE GLORY OF GOD, and underneath that CLOUD MIRACLES TOOK PLACE:
-THEY WERE HEALTHY, AND ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, THEIR SHOES AND CLOTHES NEVER WORE OUT!
-And, UNDER THAT CLOUD, GOD DROPPED FOOD TO THEM, GAVE THEM WATER WHEREVER THEY WENT.
d. THAT CLOUD OF GLORY, THAT PRESENCE OF GOD, DID ALL THAT FOR THEM AND MORE:
-After THEY CAME UNDER THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB!
-And after THEY ALL HAD EATEN THE COVENANT MEAL, which MADE THEM ONE WITH THE LAMB AND ONE IN THE LAMB WITH EACH OTHER!
***
-THEN FROM THAT TIME ON, AND TIMES AHEAD:
1. God said ONCE A YEAR, at EVERY 10th of April – Nissan, take a little, choice, spotless lamb!
2. And HAVE THAT FEAST all over again, with the children by you, telling THEM ALL THAT IT MEANS!
3. So THEY WILL NEVER FORGET THAT IT WAS THE COVENANT GOD BOUND TO YOU BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB!
a. He kept “US ALL THAT TIME”, and WE WERE BOUND BY THE LAMB!
b. BOUND TO GOD AND TO EACH OTHER!
4. THEN AS TIME WENT ALONG:
a. They no longer sacrificed the lamb at the door of the house, but in the temple, and the BLOOD SPRINKLED ON THE ALTAR!
b. 1000’s of LAMBS were brought into the temple, 2 million Jews from all over the world come to the temple on Passover!
c. That was BETWEEN COVENANTS, between time of Malachi and Matthew, it became quite a business!
d. They bred special lambs, the priests knew how to turn a dollar, BRED THEM TO BE BORN IN APRIL.
e. So that a year later, they could be BROUGHT IN FROM FIELDS AROUND JERUSALEM, “KOSHER SEAL LAMBS.” AND CUT THEM TO BE SACRIFICED.
-AND JUST ABOUT THAT TIME:
a. As THE SHEPHERDS were looking AFTER THE LITTLE LAMBS, SPECIALLY CAREFULLY BRED TO DIE! Between Jerusalem and Bethlehem!
b. An ANGEL appeared to them, THE WHOLE SKY AND EARTH WAS FILLED WITH THE GLORY OF GOD! God’s Presence!
-Just around THAT TIME OF YEAR, when LAMBS were being PREPARED TO DIE, LAMBS BORN TO DIE!
-The SHEPHERDS were TOLD TO GO TO BETHLEHEM, THERE THEY WOULD FIND THE LAMB BORN TO DIE!
-And THEN 30 YEARS LATER:
a. JOHN THE BAPTIST COMES, points AT JESUS walking by the banks of the River Jordan, and says in John 1:29,
“LOOK, BEHOLD, THERE IS THE LAMB OF GOD, THAT TAKETH AWAY
THE SINS OF THE WORLD.”
b. HERE IS THE LAMB:
-WHO SHALL BE JUDGED FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD!
-WHO SHALL SET ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE ON HIM FREE FROM SATAN’S BONDAGE AND THE SLIME PITS OF SIN!
*******
IV. LET’S NOW MOVE TO THE TIME OF JESUS!
1. FIRST:
a. It is interesting THAT THE LAMB was on display, examination for about 3 1/2 days.
b. It is more thrilling still that when YOU READ THE GOSPELS:
-That 3 PASSOVERS LATER, when all THE PEOPLE WERE BRINGING TO JERUSALEM LAMBS TO BE SACRIFICED ON PASSOVER! To the temple!
-And Jesus GOES TOWARD JERUSALEM, FOR HE KNOWS TOO THAT HE MUST DIE IN JERUSALEM.
–Luke 9:51 says,
“HE SET HIS FACE STEDFASTLY TOWARD JERUSALEM!”
c. And, ON THE 10th OF NISSAN when the LAMBS WERE CHOSEN FOR SACRIFICE, JESUS CAME INTO JERUSALEM!
d. And in Matthew, Mark, Luke, have YOU EVER NOTICED:
-That THE MAJORITY OF THE ACCOUNTS DEAL WITH ABOUT THE LAST 3 1/2 days of His 1ife?
-Suddenly YOU FIND YOURSELF IN JERUSALEM, AND THAT FILLS THE REST OF THE ACCOUNT.
-The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Herodians, all came with their questions, examining Him!
-On the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, all the Levites were inspecting lambs in the temple – they WERE EXAMINING THE LAMB!
-Right IN THAT SAME COURTYARD, THE JEWISH LEADERS WERE EXAMINING THE COVENANT LAMB.
-They pick, question, trump up charges, can’t find anything, turn HIM OVER TO GOVERNOR PILATE WHO SAYS IN John 18:38,
“I FIND NO FAULT IN THIS MAN AT ALL.”
-THE SPOTLESS LAMB, even THE ONE WHO BETRAYED HIM SAID, Matthew 27:4,
“I HAVE BETRAYED INNOCENT BLOOD.”
-Jesus could have taken revenge on Judas for his betrayal and sinister kiss, but Jesus did not. He remained spotless to the end as THE SPOTLESS LAMB OF GOD.
2. SECOND:
a. Some of you may know that a Jewish day begins at 6:00 pm to 6:00 pm the next day.
b. So, THIS DAY is already TOMORROW, and HE WAS EXAMINED RIGHT UP THROUGH THE 13th OF NISSAN!
c. NOW IT IS THE 14th day, PASSOVER IN THE TEMPLE! IN JERUSALEM!
-Jesus takes HIS DISCIPLES WITH HIM TO THE UPPER ROOM, AND SAYS IN Luke 22:15,
“WITH GREAT DESIRE I HAVE WANTED TO EAT THIS PASSOVER WITH YOU.”
-I don’t THINK WE HAVE EVER CAPTURED THE AWESOMENESS OF THAT MOMENT! Absolutely awesome!!
-JESUS, THE PASSOVER LAMB, now FULFILLS THE ENTIRE LOOKING FORWARD OF THE WORD OF GOD!
-FOR ALL THOSE HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS OF YEARS, the Jews HAD GATHERED FOR PASSOVER, AND HERE IS THE PASSOVER, THE LAMB.
d. And Jesus takes THEM THROUGH THE PASSOVER AS ANY JEW WOULD DO.
ILLUSTRATION
-It is interesting in the Jewish Passover today, Jews have a VERY INTERESTING CUSTOM, A BAG WITH 3 COMPARTMENTS!
-THERE IS 1 WAFER IN EACH, 3 WAFERS, and THEY TAKE AND BREAK THE MIDDLE WAFER, throw all in ONE BAG!
-They say the 3 wafers are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and THEY DON’T KNOW WHY THEY BREAK ISAAC’S WAFER!
-THE TRUTH IS, that all THOSE YEARS, in THEIR PASSOVER, THEY HAD A PICTURE OF THE TRINITY!
-And Jesus GAVE THE INTERPRETATION, THE MIDDLE ONE, FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT, WHEN HE SAID – Matthew 26:26,
“TOOK BREAD, BROKE IT, AND SAID, THIS IS MY BODY, ME, TAKE AND EAT!”
-Jesus IS THE MIDDLE WAFER, BROKEN FOR OUR SINS UNTO ETERNAL LIFE!
-And then, the Jewish Passover, WOULD TAKE AND PASS A CUP OF WINE PASSED FROM ONE TO ANOTHER!
-And Jesus said in Verse 28,
“THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, SHED FOR REMISSION OF SINS.”
-THAT HAD NEVER BEEN SAID about Passover, for NOW THE LAMB OF GOD HAS COME!
3. THIRDLY:
a. And Jesus in the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, momentarily SHRANK BACK, and said in Matthew 26:39,
“FATHER IF POSSIBLE, LET THIS CUP PASS FROM ME,
IF POSSIBLE.” (That was no act!)
b. Jesus knew WHAT HE WAS GOING INTO, FACING THE CROSS. Remember, THE LAMBS WERE ROASTED IN FIRE, EATEN WITH BITTER HERBS!
-Really, none of us FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS MEANT BY THE HOLINESS OF GOD!
-THE JUDGEMENT, THE FIERY WRATH OF GOD THAT CONSUMED JESUS ON THE CROSS!
-As you hate cancer, a million times more, a billion times more, infinitely more, GOD HATES SIN!
-And, JESUS WAS ROASTED IN THAT FIRE, THE LAMB GOT ALL OF WHAT THE BIBLE MEANS in Hebrews 12:29,
“OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE.”
-WHY? BECAUSE JESUS “BECAME SIN FOR US”, God consumes in Him the sin-cancer that is destroying every man!
-And Jesus IS FACING THE HOLINESS OF GOD, AND THE PASSOVER LAMB WALKS OUT to face Calvary’s divine fire!
APPLICATION
The BITTER CUP THAT JESUS DRANK WAS FILLED WITH OUR SIN AND SHAME AND SUFFERING. There was no taste like that taste. Maybe we can taste just a little of horror of the human race and the sins He died for in this following story.
In a book called Days of Our Years, Pierre Van Paassen tells the story of a hunchback named Ugolin who lived in the French village of Bourg in the years before World War II. Ugolin was a kind man and a devout Christian. He was also ugly. In fact, he was so ugly that he scared children and stopped traffic.
So the villagers mocked him. They stared at his hunched little body and pointed out that Ugolin’s hands twitched and hung to his knees. People followed Ugolin as he walked, and sometimes they jeered at him. “Whore’s child!” they shouted. “Devil’s spawn!” Ugolin made what he could of life in Bourg.
Pierre Van Paassen was one of the few to take pity on Ugolin. He invited Ugolin into his home one night, and made a meal for him, and asked about his life. As it turned out, Ugolin’s family was dead except for one older sister named Solange, who had taken care of Ugolin as he grew up. When Solange was a teenager she had gone to work for a farmer in order to make something to support herself and her brother. This arrangement worked until one day when the farmer tried to take advantage of Solange. She resisted, so the farmer took his revenge by accusing her of theft and getting her jailed for two years.
Ugolin’s spine had become diseased. When she was released, she tried to get a job, but nobody would hire her. Wasn’t she a thief, after all? Ugolin’s health deteriorated during this period and was restored only when Solange showed up one day not only with her usual words of kindness, but also with food and medicine. The truth was that Solange became a prostitute to earn money to be able to give her brother care.
Pierre Van Passen heard Ugolin’s story, and in the weeks afterward he gave Ugolin a little work and looked after him. But he couldn’t prevent the terrible event that shook the village to its roots. One night Ugolin was making his way home when he ran into a crowd that was in a jovial mood. Some of the men were drunk, and one of them tied Ugolin to a lantern post, and stripped him. Then a ring formed, and pretty soon everybody in the ring was dancing around Ugolin and singing, “The lovers of your sister pay a dollar apiece.”
Finally the village priest appeared, cut Ugolin loose, and carried him away. Father de la Roudaire, the 80-year-old priest, hoisted Ugolin over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes, carried him home, and put him to bed. In the morning, while the priest was at Mass, Ugolin woke up, walked to the river, and drowned himself. That afternoon Solange shot herself in a room at the brothel.
When Father de la Roudaire ministered at the funeral, he treated the deaths as murder, not suicide. He slowly swept the congregation with his eyes, as if he wanted to peer into the soul of every man and woman who was there. Then he said: ‘CHRISTIANS!’ and the word was like a whiplash. ‘CHRISTIANS!’ When the Lord of life and death shall ask me on the Day of Judgment, ‘Pasteur de la Roudaire, where are your sheep?’ I will not answer Him. And when the Lord shall ask me for the second time: ‘Pasteur de la Roudaire, where are your sheep?’ I still will not answer him. “But when the Lord shall ask me the third time, ‘Pasteur de la Roudaire . . . where. . . .are. . . .your. . . .sheep? then I shall hang my head, and I shall say: ‘O Lord, I never had any sheep. All I had was a pack of wolves!’”
***
THE LAMB OF GOD CRUCIFIED:
a. And then things took the ultimate brutal turn. Today we have a false Christianity that teaches that Christians are to have riches and bubble baths. Jesus Christ was about to take a BLOODBATH in His own blood for our spiritual and moral bankruptcy. Modern charismania offers bath toys and handfuls of suds, while Jesus is about to receive bloody handfuls of piercing nails on a cross. Jesus Christ WAS TAKEN TO THE CROSS 9:00 a.m. the following morning, Passover, the 14th of April, Nissan!!
b. And can you see it, as HE WAS GOING TO THE CROSS, OVER THERE IN THE TEMPLE, THE PRIESTS WERE SHARPENING KNIVES TO KILL THE LITTLE LAMBS.
c. HOWEVER, OVER IN THE CITY, SEE THE TEMPLE THERE, THE CROSS THERE, CLOSE TOGETHER!
d. They WERE NAILING THE LAMB TO THE CROSS, WHILE THE PRIESTS WERE GETTING THE LAMBS READY FOR SACRIFICE!
e. And for 3 hours on the cross, JESUS ENDURES THE DARKNESS OF HELL ON THE CROSS, and at 3:00 said,
“IT IS FINISHED.” (John 19:30)
-At the VERY HOUR THE LAMBS IN THE TEMPLE WOULD BE HAVING THEIR NECKS CUT, JESUS DIED!
-JESUS, THE PASSOVER LAMB, HAD DONE IT ALL FOR EVERY SINNER IN THE UNIVERSE, IT WAS ENOUGH:
“IT IS FINISHED – I’VE DONE IT – MAN IS SAFE!”
–Isaiah 53:6 TELLS US WHAT’S FINISHED,
“HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS BRUISED FOR
OUR INIQUITIES, THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE WAS UPON
HIM, AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.”
-But you see, that is why both JEWS AND THE GENTILES REJECT JESUS, because they rest in their own self-righteousness, and will not admit their sinfulness. Listen:
“SATAN DEFRAUDS MEN OF THEIR TRUE SAVIOR BY CONVINCING THEM
THAT THEY CAN BE THEIR OWN SAVIOR.”
-If you will:
“BOTH JEW AND GENTILE BELIEVE THAT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, SALVATION
IS NOT A GIFT OF GOD TO THEM, BUT A PAYMENT OWED TO THEM BY GOD
BECAUSE OF THEIR MERITORIOUS GOOD WORKS.”
Again:
“WHAT DAMNS MEN’S SOULS MORE THAN ANYTHING, IS THE FALSE INTOXICATING
CONCEIT OF THEIR OWN SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SELF-WORTH.”
Finally:
“THE MODERN EMPHASIS IN CHURCHES THAT WE CAN BUY BLESSINGS FROM
GOD IS NOTHING MORE THAN A NEW FACE UPON AN OLD FALSE RELIGION.”
APPLICATION
-See Jesus hanging and dying on the CROSS stripped and nude in all humiliation. He took our place from BIRTH TO DEATH, and came into the world nude in a manger, and died for this world nude on a cross. You see, He had to, for we ALL SPIRITUALLY AND MORALLY SPEAKING, COME INTO THIS WORLD NAKED, AND APART FROM THE IMPUTED ROBE OF CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS, LEAVE THIS WORLD NAKED. Jesus was STRIPPED AS A VILE SINNER that we might be CLOTHED AS RIGHTEOUS SAINTS. THE GRACE OF REDEMPTION DEFIES UNDERSTANDING, BECAUSE THE LOVE ON CALVARY IS JUST TOO EXTRAVAGANT.
***
THE AROMA OF REDEMPTION:
-AND YOU COULD NO MORE HIDE THE SMELL OF 257,000 barbecued LAMBS, THAN YOU COULD HIDE THAT CRY THAT WENT ACROSS THE JUDEAN HILLSIDE, Matthew 26:46,
“AND ABOUT THE 9th HOUR, JESUS CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, ELOI, ELOI, LAMA
SABACTHANI, MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME!”
-THE LAMB WAS CONSUMED IN THE FIRE OF DIVINE WRATH, IT IS FINISHED, JUDGEMENT IS OVER, OUR SALVATION IS COMPLETE!
-NOW, TELL YOUR SONS THE MEANING OF THIS COVENANT MEAL TONIGHT, THE MEMORIAL TO GOD’S COVENANT LOVE!
*******
V. TONIGHT WE EAT TOGETHER THE NEW COVENANT MEAL!
In that moment you take the covenant bread tonight:
-Remember, NOT ONLY ARE YOU ONE WITH JESUS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR!
-But, YOU ARE ONE WITH ALL THOSE OTHERS WHO HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS AS THEIR SAVIOR AND LORD.
-REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:
FIRST:
Remember, Exodus. 12:13,
“A WHOLE LAMB FOR EACH FAMILY!”
-Wherever there was A WHOLE FAMILY, THERE WAS A WHOLE LAMB INSIDE OF THEM!
-And, remember, WHEREVER THERE IS THE FAMILY OF GOD, THERE IS A WHOLE JESUS CHRIST PRESENT!
-When you accepted, I accepted Jesus, Christ comes into you and me, not just words, He comes into you and me.
-A LIFE, HIS LIFE COMES TO ME, IN ME, A LIFE THAT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE:
a. But, I also know, that I cannot contain all there is of Jesus to contain!
b. I know THAT JESUS CAN LIVE HIS LIFE IN ME, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT!
c. But, WHEN THERE COMES TOGETHER THE FAMILY OF GOD, THERE IS THE ONE ENTIRE LAMB OF GOD.
d. THE WHOLE LAMB OF GO is in the whole family of God.
e. I shall TAKE A PIECE OF BREAD and SO SHALL YOU and YOU, and YOU, and YOU, THE WHOLE FAMILY, THE WHOLE LAMB!
f. And WHERE THE WHOLE CHRIST IS, GLORY, WATCH OUT!
-Jesus said in Matthew 18:20,
“WHERE 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there am I in
the midst of them.”
a. I used to think that that meant, 1, 2, 3 plus 4 or Christ, Him, her, me, and Jesus!
b. No, No, No, 1, 2, 3, and in them, through them, plurality, there is more of the whole Jesus.
c. CHRIST LIVES IN YOU, as in Colossians 1:27,
“CHRIST IN YOU (PLURAL), THE WHOLE FAMILY, THE HOPE OF GLORY!”
-CHRIST LIVES IN YOU ALTOGETHER:
a. You ARE NOT ALL THE SAME. HE LIVES THROUGH EACH OF YOU UNIQUELY, EACH A DIFFERENT EXTENSION OF THE WHOLE CHRIST!
b. You’re THE BODY OF CHRIST, WHERE THE WHOLE FAMILY IS, THERE IS THE WHOLE JESUS PRESENT.
-WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE MIDST OF THE WHOLE FAMILY, YOU WALK INTO THE WHOLE JESUS!
a. So don’t BE SHOCKED WHEN PEOPLE ARE HEALED, SAVED, SET FREE, LIBERATED TO PRAISE!
b. FOR THE WHOLE LAMB IS PRESENT WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY OF GOD!
SECOND:
Remember, Exodus 12:3-4,
“A LAMB FOR EACH FAMILY AND EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS EATING.”
-You see, THEY ALL ATE, THEY EACH HAD PART OF THE LAMB IN THEM, THEY WERE ONE/BOUND TOGETHER BY-IN THE LAMB!
-And, so tonight, we shall take each a piece of His body:
a. And WE ARE SAYING, HE IS BROKEN FOR EACH OF US, AND HE IS IN ALL OF US!
b. CHRIST IN ME, AND CHRIST IN YOU, AND WE ARE EATING TOGETHER IN THAT COVENANT MEAL!
-That’s why Paul in I Corinthians 11:29 says in EATING THE COVENANT MEAL,
“DISCERN THE LORD’S BODY.”
a. THAT MEANS, CHRIST’S BODY, CHRIST IN ALL OF US, AND THEREFORE ALL ONE IN HIM!
b. I therefore EAT OF THE BREAD AND YOU EAT OF THE BREAD, CHRIST IN EACH.
c. But you DON’T TALK TO EACH OTHER, YOU AVOID EACH OTHER, & yet Christ is and LOVES YOU – both of you!
-MY FRIEND, THAT’S THEN YOUR SUPPER, NOT THE LORD’S SUPPER, and YOU EAT JUDGMENT TO YOURSELVES.
d. YOU’VE GOT TO GO AND ASK FORGIVENESS FOR YOUR FEELINGS, THIS IS COVENANT LOVE, WE ARE ONE!
e. And, THEN, and ONLY THEN, YOU CAN EAT AND THEREBY GLORIFY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
-YOU MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’RE DOING:
a. 100s pieces of the same loaf, all going into 200 people, all with Jesus in them, the Lord of love!
b. ONE LOAF IS IN THE SAME FAMILY, YOU CANNOT HAVE ANYTHING BETWEEN YOU, YOU CANNOT!
c. YOU ARE ONE IN CHRIST, HE’S IN ALL OF YOU, SO YOU ARE ALL ONE IN HIM! Hallelujah!
-AND IN COVENANT:
a. YOU ARE SAYING, AS CHRIST LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR ME, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU!
b. All that I am is yours, even AS ALL OF CHRIST IS GIVEN TO ME! My life, strength, all, this is covenant meal!
c. This is the Lord’s Supper, and anything LESS THAN THAT IS MEANINGLESS!
THIRD:
–EXODUS 12:13,
“WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD, THE PLAGUE, JUDGMENT SHALL NOT
COME UPON YOU.”
-You see, WHEN I TAKE THE CUP, THE BLOOD OF JESUS:
1. I know THAT MY SINS HAVE BEEN JUDGED IN THE LAMB, HE DIED, and POURED OUT HIS LIFE BLOOD FOR ME, and FOR ALL HIS PEOPLE.
2. And that Satan is defeated, and I am set free from hell’s bondage, and free from the slime pits of sin, and unified with God.
3. Only those with the BLOOD OF THE LAMB PAINTED TO THE DOORS OF THEIR HEARTS AND HOMES WILL BE SAVED FOREVERMORE. Glory be to LAMB! Amen!
