Written by Abby Caymol | Jul 26, 2025

In Exodus 12, there is a story called “The Passover,” in which God instructs the Israelites to smear the blood of their chosen animal, either a lamb or a young goat, at twilight. These instructions are part of God’s plan to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of Pharaoh and their enslavement. Let us read the verse:

Exodus 12:

“Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the door frames of the house where they eat the animal.”

The journey of Moses and the Israelites in the book of Exodus has similarities with the events in the life of Jesus and Christianity today. The blood that God instructs them to smear on their doorposts symbolizes deliverance from death. As stated in Exodus 12:13, “But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and this plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.”

The Passover holds significant symbolism in embracing Jesus and His precious blood. Hebrews 9:12 states that Jesus did not enter the Most Holy Place by means of the blood of goats and calves, but instead He entered once for all by His own blood, thereby obtaining eternal redemption. Similarly, the Israelites represent Christianity today. Jesus delivered us from death by being obedient to God.

Because of God’s love for us, He gave His only Son as a once-for-all sacrifice for the world. In His presence, Jesus shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins. Though the price was high, God extended His grace so that we could receive this one-time atonement, which lasts for eternity.

There are four key words about Christianity.

Lamb: Exodus 12:4, “If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with the nearest neighbor.” (v.5b), “without defect”. John 1:29, “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”. In Christianity, the lamb symbolizes Jesus as a perfect sacrifice, representing God’s love for humanity. No defect, but still, God gave us a ransom for the forgiveness of our sins.

1 Peter 1:19, “but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” Revelation 5:9, “and they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Twilight: Exodus 12:6 states, “…when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.” In verse 7, it continues, “Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.”

The day Jesus was sacrificed as the Lamb at Golgotha, commonly referred to as Calvary, was also orchestrated by God the Father. God establishes His own rules regarding the sacrifice of the lamb, and twilight is a fitting time, just as it was when Jesus gave up His life as a propitiation for our sins.

Blood:  Ephesians 1:7 states, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

There is power in the blood of Jesus. His blood performs wonders in a person’s life, bringing healing, blessings, covering, and protection. The blood of the unblemished animal in Exodus provided freedom for the Israelites. Before the Lord struck down the firstborn, the doorposts of the Israelites were marked with the blood from the sacrifice. As a result, they were not affected by the plague of death. 

This is what Jesus can do for us. His blood offers freedom from the slavery of sin, bestows grace, delivers us from evil attacks, redeems us from wrongdoing, covers us in His grace, and gives salvation that cleanses us from every sin.

Passover: Exodus 12:14, which states, “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come, you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.” To this day, Passover remains an important Jewish holiday. It serves as a time for commemoration and gratitude toward God for rescuing His people from bondage. 

In Christianity, the Passover is symbolically connected to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During church gatherings, we remember the grace given to us through Jesus, which provides salvation through His sacrifice on the cross. In Luke 22:19, it is written, “And He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’”

The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that find their fulfillment in the New Testament concerning Jesus. The laws and teachings in the Old Testament remind us of God’s unconditional love for His creation. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus states, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”