The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5: 7 for Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. As the paschal lamb, he saved us from death when we were destined to die based on our transgressions against God the Father Almighty. There are many reasons why we refer to Christ Jesus as the paschal lamb. Led by the Holy Spirit, we continue with our discourse on why Christ Jesus is our paschal lamb.
Why is Jesus Christ the paschal lamb?
1. God desired to obliterate Satan’s power, authority and influence over mankind and God chose Christ Jesus as the most trustworthy to do that by his blood so we would obtain freedom from tyranny by virtue of the blood of the paschal lamb as it happened in Egypt. Revelation 12: 11 says and they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Spiritual battles are won only by the blood of Jesus Christ. Are we in any spiritual battle? Let us turn to Christ Jesus for help.
2. By God’s calendar, it was time to expose the devil and his angels publicly as a lesson and a caution to their would-be followers and the blood of Jesus was God’s chosen authority just as the blood of the paschal lamb in Egypt overcame the menace his people suffered in Egypt. Colossians 2: 15 says he (Jesus Christ) disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him. Evil cannot overcome good, neither can Satan overcome God. Jesus said in Luke 10: 18 I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Fear not, he is a defeated foe.
3. Christ Jesus accepted to die by his blood for us to save us when no one was ready. The Lord God asked the host of heaven in Isaiah 6: 8 whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I (Christ Jesus) said, here am I! Send me. Hebrews 12: 2 also says let us look to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Are we ready to die to save others?
4. Acceptable sacrifices are better performed and accepted by high priests. In heaven such a high priest is required who understands our state of affairs to execute this divine assignment and Jesus was the only one found suitable and qualified. Hebrews 8: 1-2 says we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord. Jesus Christ will take our supplications and pray for us always so our sacrifices would be accepted. If the blood of the lamb was accepted as sacrifice through Moses, then God not hear us through Jesus Christ? Have we prayed through Jesus Christ?
5. Mankind lost his citizenship of heaven through sin and by the blood of Christ Jesus we were restored just as the Passover lamb enabled the Israelites to receive God’s recognition as God’s people. Ephesians 2: 19-22 say you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. How are we maintaining our citizenship? We can lose it so 2 John 1: 8 says look to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward.
6. We were lost in the darkness of sin not knowing the way out just as the Israelites in Egypt were until God showed them the way by the blood of the Passover lamb. In the same manner, the blood of Jesus Christ is our light which beams on our spiritual journey of life to show us the way. Matthew 4: 16 says the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light had dawned. Jesus said in John 8: 12, I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have light of life. He said also in John 9:5 as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. No other but Christ Jesus the light of the world can show us the way to redemption. We need not worry any longer with the light of Christ Jesus.
7. God created us as free people but we lost it. God then purposed to restore that lost freedom just as the Israelites tasted freedom after many years in bondage because of the blood of the Passover lamb. The blood of Christ Jesus does same for us. John 8: 36 says so if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed. Acts 4: 12 says there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. We can have freedom only through Christ Jesus. So Matthew 11:28 come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Psalms 55:22 says cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. It is getting late to invite Christ Jesus to set us free as the paschal lamb.
8. God desired to show us an example of humility and he chose Christ Jesus to exemplify that by his blood on cross by crucifixion. Philippians 2:6-8 says though he (Christ Jesus) was in the form of God, did not count equally with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 29 take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Do we have these qualities of obedience, humbleness and lowliness of heart which God wants us to grasp from our paschal lamb?
9. God needed a worthy representation on earth to represent him just as all ambassadors represent their head of states and their nations. Accordingly God chose Jesus Christ for that assignment. Ephesians 1:21 says Christ sits at the right hand of God in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Are we worthy ambassadors of God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord to the world and perishing souls?
It is God’s will that we appreciate him and his Son Christ Jesus whom he sent to lead the rescue mission for our souls as a worthy lamb of God by his blood which he shed on the cross. John 15:13 says greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Christ Jesus lived and exemplified love which is the greatest of all the commandments, love to God and love to mankind. Jesus said in John 15:17 this I command you, love one another. Are we sacrificial lambs for others because of Christ Jesus?
Prayer
Dear master Jesus Christ, we appreciate your amazing love by which you volunteered to be the paschal lamb for us through forgiveness and love. Continue to locate us in your mercy and grant us your grace to love you also. Let your blood always lead us I righteousness for your name sake in your holy name. Thank you for an answered prayer, Amen!!
