I decided to leave my Easter cross on my front door as a statement of faith in keeping with that of the Israelites in the original Passover during a deadly plague in Egypt. God instructed them through Moses to prepare a meal of lamb and unleavened bread in their homes and post the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of their home, in faith that the Angel of Death would “pass over” their family during the death plague in Egypt. Likewise, in faith that God hears our prayers and that Jesus taught us to pray, “deliver us from evil,” I chose to leave the cross there as my prayer and hope for us and the world until the COVID-19 crisis has passed.
There is a shining thread related to the blood of the lamb all through the Bible. You can follow it all the way through Revelation. The original quote of God’s instructions to Moses is found in Exodus 12:13. “The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt” (NIV). While this is an ancient story, all scripture is given to us as a model and pattern for us to live by. It is not necessary to do this in order for God to hear our prayers, but I decided in my heart that it is necessary for me as a statement of faith that God hears the prayers of His people. I want to encourage others to believe that He cares for us!
The connection of Jesus with the concept of a lamb is embedded in scripture from the earliest times. In the story of Abraham, he told his son Isaac that God would provide a lamb for the sacrifice that he was committed to make. And God did. Many believers have seen that as a pointer toward the Christ who was to come. When John the Baptist saw Jesus one day, he pointed him out in the crowd and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, NRSV). He believed God had provided a lamb again—one whose life, death and resurrection would offer redemptive hope to all people.
The Apostle Peter declared, “You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through Him you have come to trust in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God” (I Peter 1:18-21, NRSV).
In the last book of the Bible, this same concept shines: “And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: ‘Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, King of the Nations! Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your judgments have been revealed’” (Revelation 15:3-4, NRSV).
Whenever you see a cross, remember that God wants us to have hope in Him. Let’s put our faith to work by believing that He wants to help us. He wants us to believe enough to pray, expecting His loving response. Hope is the message of the cross.
To God be the Glory now and forever, Amen.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
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