Warriors:
Most Americans have too much stuff. It clutters our homes, so much so that we often find it necessary to rent a storage facility so we can keep on keeping it. We stuff our garages with stuff; we fill our closets with stuff; and we stuff things under our beds. I have observed that even poor people often have a problem with too much stuff; usually representing the residue of people who are not poor, but who need to have a way to walk through their garage. These people who are usually savvy enough to figure out how to get a tax deduction to boot.
Ultimately space runs out and we finally realize that this old stuff is not what we need any more, and, in fact, represents the past and is not worth keeping. When we reach that point—and hopefully we do— it’s time to purge. That brings us to ancient Egypt, about 3000 years ago.
Judgment Comes to the Egyptians
I assume you know the story. Pharaoh wasn’t listening. He was getting harder to deal with. The Lord decided to bring a well-deserved judgment on the Egyptians. He gave detailed instructions to the Israelites about what they should do to prepare for the passing over of the Lord, who would destroy the first born of all of those who did not do as he commanded.
What God told the Israelites to do inside their homes was important. The sacrifice of the lamb, the meal that was prepared and how it was to be eaten; having their belt about their waist to hold up their robes for walking, their shoes on, and staff at the ready— demonstrating their preparedness to depart for the Promised Land. As important as those requirements were, however, the only thing that kept each household from the death of the first born was the blood of the spotless lamb that was sacrificed; the blood of which was splotched on the lintel and two door posts at the entrance to their dwellings. To apply the blood, the Israelites used the herb hyssop, which symbolized purification and cleansing, which was configured sort of like a paintbrush,. This is what the Lord said He would do when He passed over Egypt on that fateful night:
And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:13.
Securing Peace With God
“The blood on the lintel secured Israel’s peace. There was nothing more required in order to enjoy settled peace, in reference to the destroying angel, than the application of the blood. God did not add any thing to the blood, because nothing more was necessary to obtain salvation from the sword of judgment. He did not say, ‘When I see the blood and the unleavened bread or bitter herbs, I will pass over.’ By no means. These things had their proper place, and their proper value; but they never could be regarded as the ground of peace, in the presence of God” (Author unknown, ca. 1880).
“Nothing more required.”
It is so easy to think we need to add to what God has already done to secure salvation for us—to mix up what we do or say with the finished work of Christ. His work is perfect, no add-ons, no flourishes, and no finishing touches. The Israelites did not have to pray for safety, or hope for safety; they were completely and perfectly sheltered from death in their dwellings. They simply understood that they were safe because the Lord would see the blood on the doorframe—and that is exactly what the Lord sees when He looks at each of us. When we believe in Christ, we are acknowledging that he died for our sins. Because the Lord is faithful, He will keep His word and save us from destruction, and give us everlasting life— BECAUSE HE SEES THE BLOOD OF JESUS; say no more. That means peace, peace with God. He, and He alone, is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
Easter Challenge
Here is some insight, perhaps even a challenge for this Easter season:
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7).
If you are unleavened, and if you have believed in Jesus Christ, you are, then purge out the sin and stain that manifests the old life, and fights against the new life, eternal life, that you received when you believed. Jesus is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). His blood, and His death finished it. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness (Romans 6:18).
Start yielding and start purging.
Harper sends