Permanent and Forever

Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever.     Exodus‬ ‭12‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse came up in my Bible study lesson Sunday morning, and it really got my attention.

PERMANENT.

FOREVER.

Those are strong words!

That’s what got me thinking…

There was no instruction that Passover should only be observed until the coming of Messiah.

But most Christians don’t really celebrate Passover.

“Well, Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled Passover.”

Yes. 

That’s what I’ve always heard and believed.  But if Passover is to be PERMANENT and FOREVER, what does that mean?  I guess it means PERMANENT and FOREVER.  Last time I checked, forever includes yesterday, all the days before, tomorrow, and all the days after.  And it includes today.

So what does that mean for me?  Am I supposed to be killing a lamb every year and eating unleavened bread?

Maybe…?  But I don’t think so.

Passover itself was observed with a feast, yes.  But the actual Passover was about the application of blood above and beside the door of a house, a sign that those inside were to be “passed over” by the destroyer.

Those whose dwelling place was marked with the blood would live.  Those whose dwelling was not marked with blood would die.

Well, having lived a pretty nomadic lifestyle for most of my adult life, I understand that “homes” and “dwellings” can take a lot of different forms.  And as I ponder what my fellow apartment-dwellers might think if I splattered blood on the top and sides of my doorway…  well, I feel like that might be frowned upon…

So as I considered this instruction for PERMANENT, FOREVER observance of Passover, it occurred to me…

Where or what is my dwelling place?

Well, in John 5, Jesus gave instructions that His followers should “abide” in Him.  “Abide” means to live, right - to stay?  So then, Christ Himself has become my dwelling place!

When the Lord looks on my Dwelling Place - His Son - what does He see?

And there it is! 

The blood of Jesus is the PERMANENT and FOREVER sign that the Lamb has been sacrificed so that I can live!

The blood has been applied.  My dwelling is marked.  My life is saved.  FOREVER.

Hallelujah!

Seems like a message for a different holiday…  

But, the fact is that without the Crucifixion and Resurrection, the birth of Jesus would hold little meaning.  After all, babies are born all the time.  But only one came to earth, lived a sinless life, and sacrificed His life for ours.  And so, this Christmas, I’m thinking about Passover and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

…Just a thought…