The Sign of The Cross

I am reading through the Book of Exodus this morning. Chapter 12 specifically. God lays out His plan to Moses for the liberation of the Israelites (God's people) from Egypt.

"The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household." - Exodus 12:3

God is instructing Moses about the very first Passover. God "passed over" His people and did not put to death any first born in the families of those who had blood on their door frames. Remember the word "lamb."

In the new testament we read this:

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world." - John 1:29

That was John the Baptist talking about Jesus.

Now, back to Egypt. Look at God's instruction for where they are to place the blood of the lamb on Passover.

"Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight." - Exodus 12:6

Then this . . .

"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." - Exodus 12:7

Take a look at the nearest door in your house. Trace the length of the jamb on the side of the door. You just made a vertical line in the air. Now do the same for the lintel above the door. A horizontal line.

Where have you seen the two motions you just made before? Didn't you just make the sign of the cross? And now God wants His people, "the community," to place the blood of a spotless lamb on it. Interesting.

Why the door? Why not a window? Or the wall? Or the roof? Because doors are where we 'enter in.' In order to "enter in" to God's kingdom we must enter into it through the blood-stained cross. Stained with the blood of a spotless lamb - Jesus. Wow.

"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved." - John 10:9

Stories of Jesus like this one are found throughout the Old Testament. More on that next time. For now though, let us praise God for His amazing plan, which He set in motion before the creation of the world.

[Editor's note: I wrote a story on Monday but chose not to share it on Facebook. If you would like to read it you can find it here.]