THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
Exodus 12:14–13:16
Matthew 20:29–21:22
Psalm 25:16–22
Proverbs 6:12–15
In today’s reading, we find the powerful juxtaposition of Israel’s triumphant exit from Egypt and Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem on what has become known as Palm Sunday.
In the Exodus passage, the Lord guides His people from Egypt in a hasty escape, emphasized by their preparations of unleavened bread, which may become ready quickly. The Israelites would later commemorate this original Passover as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Exodus emerged from the Egyptians’ overwhelming devastation at the hands of this final plague, leading to the death of each firstborn.
Meanwhile, the Matthew account points to the side-by-side 1) humility and 2) authority and majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ. Unlike any other leader, Jesus received rightful praise and worship upon His entry into Jerusalem. Yet, contrary to common expectations, the King of kings arrives riding a donkey’s colt amid shouts of “Hosanna!” This coming King would indeed save His people, yet the teachers of the Law would harbor jealousy. Jesus explains that true praises emerges “from the lips of children and infants.”(Matthew 21:16)
Please note the parallelism in the Exodus and the triumphant entry and the imminent crucifixion of Christ:
1. In the plague of the firstborn, God orchestrates freedom (redemption) of His people from bondage at the hands of the Egyptians. In the death of Christ – “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15) – God provided a means of freedom (redemption) from bondage to sin.
2. The Exodus brings shape to this new nation of Israel, while the sacrifice of Christ creates “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
3. The Egyptian Passover Lamb sets forth the key principle of sacrifice, as explained in Hebrews 9:22: “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The blood of Christ, as the true Passover Lamb, would indeed bring forgiveness and secure victory over the spiritual separation from God and certain death we all deserve:
a. Colossians 1:22: “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation… ”
b. 1 Peter 1:18–21: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”
c. Ephesians 1:7: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace… ”
Looking ahead, we will find the Israelites to stumble frequently, becoming quickly forgetful of the immense mercy that God has demonstrated to them. A faithful remnant will persevere, but the crowds will fall away. Throughout history, the wicked human heart has sought to avoid God’s presence, despite full knowledge of His glory (Psalm 19:1–4). Yet, God desires to reward those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
I pray that we would seek His strength in order to seek Him wholeheartedly, remembering the truth of Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,/ for they will be filled.” May we find fulfillment of these words because we treasure the presence of the Living God more greatly than all the world’s riches.
QUESTIONS
1. How have you witnessed the effects of redemption in your own life?
2. How may you “hunger and thirst for righteousness” today?
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