Good enough...

“Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.”-Exodus 12:3-6  

   The first Passover was instituted while the Hebrews were in bondage in Egypt. God, after nine plagues, sent the last plague that broke the hold Egypt had over the Hebrews. Death came inside each home that did not have the blood of the lamb covering its sides and top. This first Passover is a foreshadow of the work Christ accomplished on the cross at Calvary. The application of the blood, the sacrifice of the innocent lamb and the examination of the lamb all point to our Lord Jesus.  

   I would like to touch on the last detail mentioned about the lamb, the examination. The Bible states that the lamb was separated from the flock on the 10th day of the month and observed until the 14th day of the month. This allowed for any blemishes or irregularities in the lamb to be seen. In the 4 day span any deformity, sores or abnormalities would be found. Thus proving the lamb was approved to be sacrificed. God had high standards for the Passover lamb just as He had high standards in the payment for sin. Jesus is our lamb. He was observed during His time on earth and was found to be the perfect, spotless sacrifice the Father required.  

   This examination time is not only something we consider in the life of Christ but we as believers in Jesus are examined daily. The world is watching along with heaven to see the life we choose to live. It’s not just a consideration when the Bible tells us to present our bodies a living sacrifice unto the Lord. We too are expected to live holy before God as Jesus did. The difference between us and Christ being our righteous living is not to pay for sin or assure a home in heaven but to direct others to a saving knowledge of Christ. Jesus was examined and we also are examined. The Word also mentions our works will be tried by fire to see if they are good or bad.  

   Let the example of the examined lamb be an encouragement to live a life that is pleasing to our Lord. Righteous living brings joy to heart of our Father in heaven. Pray the day our work here is done the Father will say, “well done my good and faithful servant.”