Episode 2474 - Lesson 5 - Friday August 1 - Further Thought

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "The Passover," pp. 273-280, in Patriarchs and Prophets."The Passover was to be both commemorative and typical, not only pointing back to the deliverance from Egypt, but forward to the greater deliverance which Christ was to accomplish in freeing His people from the bondage of sin. The sacrificial lamb represents ‘the Lamb of God,’ in whom is our only hope of salvation. Says the apostle, ‘Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.’ 1 Corinthians 5:7. It was not enough that the paschal lamb be slain; its blood must be sprinkled upon the doorposts; so the merits of Christ's blood must be applied to the soul. We must believe, not only that He died for the world, but that He died for us individually. We must appropriate to ourselves the virtue of the atoning sacrifice."—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 277.To this day, observant Jewish families around the world celebrate Passover, Pesach. They have what they call a "Passover Seder" ("Seder" means "order/arrangement") during which they recount the Exodus and then enjoy a special meal as a family. Amazing that this has been kept since, literally, the time of the Exodus! Only the seventh-day Sabbath, which observant Jews keep as well, goes back even farther into antiquity.How can we understand the "fairness" of the Lord in striking dead the firstborn, many of whom were surely "innocent"? How can we harmonize this with the powerful reality of God’s love? Think, too, of the Flood. How do we understand this?What is the meaning of the symbolic saying that believers are covered by the blood of Jesus and that His blood cleanses them from all their iniquities?Read the following words: "The followers of Christ must be partakers of His experience. They must receive and assimilate the word of God so that it shall become the motive power of life and action. By the power of Christ they must be changed into His likeness, and reflect the divine attributes. … The spirit and work of Christ must become the spirit and work of His disciples."—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 278. How do we allow Christ to do in us what is written here?Discussion Questions: