Passover, slavery and freedom through Christ

Today is Passover in the Jewish calendar (April 22, 2016). Jesus died on Passover. The word Passover comes from the time when God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

After Pharaoh persistently refused to let Israel go, God warned him He would send a tenth and final plague (Exodus 10-12). The firstborn in every home in Egypt would die, both of humans and animals. Pharaoh could have humbled his heart and let Israel go and the plague would have been averted. But he didn’t.

For those who believed God, there was a plan of salvation. On the fourteenth day of the month they were to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and put some of the blood on the doorpost of their home. In the middle of the night an angel passed through Egypt and killed all the first born in every home. But the angel passed over the homes that had the blood on the doorposts.

When the plague was finished, Pharaoh and all of the Egyptians begged the Israelites to leave. God delivered them from slavery.

The Passover Feast was also a promise that the Messiah would come and be the Savior from sin. When John the Baptist introduced Jesus, he said in John 1:29, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Today, many people are enslaved to addictive substances and behaviors such as: alcohol, prescription pain killers, pornography, sex, gambling, food, tobacco, caffeine, marijuana, illegal drugs, shopping, TV entertainment, sports, work, video games, etcetera.

Chemical and behavioral addictions lead to self-centered living. When people suffer from withdrawals they have a difficult time freely loving others as Jesus has loved them.

In John 8:34, Jesus said, “He who commits sin is a slave of sin.”

When Jesus died on the cross, he freed the human race from the curse and condemnation of the law (Galatians 3:13; Romans 5:18). As a result, God is not counting anyone’s sins against them. He is inviting everyone to be reconciled to him. (2 Corinthians 5:19,20).

Those who accept Jesus as their savior and Lord will experience freedom from slavery to sin. Jesus said in John 8:31,32,36, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free ... If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

This column was written on behalf of the Moses Lake Christian Ministerial Association.