The First Passover: Covered by the Blood

The story of Moses and the Exodus reaches its climax with the final and most devastating plague: the death of the firstborn. Through it, God not only delivered His people from Egypt but also gave a picture of salvation that points directly to Jesus Christ.

One More Blow

After nine devastating plagues, Pharaoh’s heart was still hard. But God told Moses:

“I will strike Pharaoh and the land of Egypt with one more blow. After that, he will let you go. In fact, he will be so eager to get rid of you that he will drive you out.” (Exodus 11:1)

At midnight, judgment would fall: every firstborn son in Egypt would die, from Pharaoh’s household to the lowest servant. Yet God made a way of escape for His people — a way that required both faith and obedience.

The Lamb Without Defect

Each Israelite household was commanded to select a lamb — a one-year-old male without defect. For four days, that lamb lived with the family. Imagine the heartbreak of a young boy who grew attached to it, only to watch his father prepare it for sacrifice.

On the night of Passover, the lamb was slaughtered and its blood smeared on the doorframes of their homes. God’s promise was clear:

“When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague of death will touch you when I strike Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13)

Judgment would not pass over because the Israelites were better than the Egyptians — but because they were covered by the blood of the lamb.

God’s Purposes in Passover

Why this final plague? God Himself gave the reason:

“I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord.” (Exodus 12:12)

The tenth plague exposed the futility of Egypt’s false gods and revealed Yahweh as sovereign over life and death. It also established the principle that deliverance requires a substitute: the innocent dying in the place of the guilty.

Fulfilled in Christ

Passover became the defining celebration of Israel’s history — a yearly reminder that God delivers His people through the blood of a lamb.

But it was never meant to end there. When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared:

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

Just as Israel was spared by the blood on their doorposts, we are spared from eternal judgment by the blood of Christ. Paul writes:

“Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)

At the Last Supper, Jesus redefined Passover. Holding the bread and the cup, He said: “Do this in remembrance of me.” What had once pointed back to Egypt now pointed forward to the cross.

Lessons for Us Today

1. God provides deliverance from judgment. The Israelites were saved not by their works, but by God’s provision. We too are saved only by the blood of Christ.

2. Faith leads to obedience. Believing God’s word meant acting on it — painting blood on the doorframes. True faith is always faith in action.

3. The Lamb points to Jesus. An innocent life was given so that the guilty might live. Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, is our once-for-all substitute.

4. Remember and rejoice. Just as Israel celebrated Passover each year, we celebrate communion to remember Christ’s sacrifice and God’s great deliverance.

When God Sees the Blood

The firstborn in Egypt died that night. But in the homes covered by the blood, there was peace — not even a dog barked.

The same is true today. When God sees the blood of Christ covering your life, judgment passes over, and you are given eternal life.

Have you placed your trust in the Lamb of God?