Four Days
Originally scheduled for October 11
Exodus 12:6
There is a curious fact which is mentioned about the implementation
of Passover.
·
The Lamb to be sacrificed is to be taken into your home on the 10th
day of the month — but not slaughtered until the 14th day
of the month. The Lamb will be in your home for four days before
being eaten.
·
As far as the records indicate, this procedure was done only one
time. Passover, after the initial implementation, does not require
this.
The fact seems to be somewhat mysterious, and most of the
commentators who do mention it (very few) tie it vaguely to the last
week of Christ on earth. In so doing they are rather hesitant and
tentative. There seems to be no really solid prophetic connection
between this and the crucifixion of Christ. So why indeed did God
tell Moses and Aaron to have the people follow this instruction?
Cast your mind back to the story of David and Bathsheba. You will
remember that the prophet Nathan confronted David about his adultery
and murder. He did so by telling him a little story about a man with
a small lamb. He described the relationship between the man and the
lamb this way:
"But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb Which he
bought and nourished; And it grew up together with him and his
children. It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in
his bosom, And was like a daughter to him.
(2 Samuel 12:3 NASB)
It is just a speculation, but is it not possible with having the
lamb in your home for four days it becomes very much a family pet?
It goes from being just another animal in the flock to a creature
with a name. Perhaps the implementation of Passover requires the
agony of slaughtering the new family pet — something you love.
Something you love? The slaughter of Christ on the cross was in
agony to those who loved him.
·
We don’t see it referenced, but can you imagine the feelings of God
the Father would have watching the slaughter of his son?
·
Consider his disciples feelings — something’s gone terribly wrong
and they are losing their best friend as well as their master and
teacher.
·
We may also consider “the little people” — people like Mary of
Bethany, who anointed his feet. He was the hope with the sinner and
therefore loved greatly by those who had sinned much.
As you partake of communion today, do you feel any sense of what it
must’ve been like?
·
Is there pain in your heart, because the sinless one had to die for
you?
·
Is there hope in your mind because Christ conquered the grave and
you two shall rise from the dead?
We may put it simply. This is communion; is your beloved Lord and
Master in it?
