Jesus Christ in Exodus

~ Jesus Christ is the Passover Lamb and More ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

In the book of Exodus Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is foreshadowed primarily by the Passover Lamb. Scholars have also noted that He is seen as the Deliver, High Priest, and Smitten Rock (Exodus 17:5-6).

Passover Lamb  ~  The Passover Lamb account in Exodus 12 is by far the clearest presentation we find of Jesus Christ, who is the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29,36) in the book of Exodus.

Without Blemish  ~  “Your lamb shall be without blemish” (12:5). Clearly a prophetic picture of the sinless Son of God—the Messiah. “For He [God the Father] hath made Him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Blood  ~  “Take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses” (12:7). A type, or foreshadowing, of the future blood of the Lamb of God. It is the blood which provides salvation—nothing else. “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out” (John 19:34). 

Individually Applied   ~  “If the family is too small for a lamb, then share it with a close neighbor, depending on the number of persons involved. Be mindful of how much each person will eat” (12:4, The Message). Each person in the household had to apply the blood for themselves. This is a picture of how the salvation available through the Messiah is applied by an individual decision to accept Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf. It is an individual personal decision. No one receives salvation through birth in a Christian nation, a Christian home, etc. “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:5-8).

The Fire  ~  “roasted in fire … roasted in fire” (12:8-9). Fire is a picture of the future judgment for those today who do not accept salvation available through Jesus Christ. “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:27-28a).

Bread Made Without Yeast  ~ “With unleavened bread” (12:8). Throughout the Scriptures leaven, or yeast, symbolizes sin and this bread is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ—the Bread of Life. “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst’” (John 6:35). “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (John 6:48-51).

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in Exodus. Much more could be said about the list of examples.

additional comment: While on earth Jesus Christ often quoted the Scriptures including all five books of Moses. He quoted Exodus 3:6 (see Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:26) and Exodus 21:17 (see Matthew 15:4; Mark 7:10). 

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Christ in the Pentateuch

~ Jesus Christ is the Theme of the Entire Bible ~

The Bible is a book of the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ (John 5:39) and contains many “types” of things to come. Biblical types are metaphors or symbols of something else. Types are not only interesting but are part of the reason why the Bible is such an integrated whole. While a collection of 66 books, the Bible is in a very real way one book, one story, and one integrated package. For example, there are many amazing parallels between the Old Testament contents and that which is found in the New Testament writings.

Jesus Christ can be seen in every book of the Bible. Consider for example the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

Genesis ~ In chapter 22 (many consider it one of the top ten chapters of the Bible) we see a father (Abraham) offering up his mature son (Isaac was not a small boy but was in his 30s) as an offering for sin. It took them three days to arrive at the place of sacrifice. Isaac was dead in Abraham’s mind for three long days! Isaac carried the wood for his death and Christ carried His own cross. Isaac was spared after the three day journey. Christ rose from the dead after three days.

Exodus ~ In chapter 12 we find the lamb slain and its blood sprinkled upon the houses as a shelter for men who are facing the judgment of God. The blood of the slain lamb is a type of the future blood of the Lamb of God. Each individual family member was required to receive a part of the lamb (12:4)—a picture of how every individual must accept the sacrifice of Christ for themselves—it is a personal decision. No one was saved because of being in the right house. Today no one is a child of God because they have Christian parents or live in a “Christian nation.” The fire (12:8-9) represented judgment which is still ahead for those of us living today. Bread made without yeast (yeast symbolizes sin) represents Christ, the bread of life. It is important to note that no one was saved because of “doing good” or “doing the best they can.”

Leviticus ~ Chapter 16 presents the ordinances of the Day of Atonement, which is a type of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament God did not remove sin but covered it, waiting for the only truly acceptable sacrifice—Jesus Christ. Only the high priest could provide this atonement and in doing so he laid aside his beautiful garments. Christ our great high priest laid aside His glory in heaven to come to earth to provide a sacrifice for us.

Numbers ~ The serpent of brass which is lifted up for all to see in chapter 21 is a picture of Jesus Christ who would be lifted up on the Cross of Calvary for all to see. To be saved they were required to look up at the serpent in faith just like today we must look up to the Cross in faith. To be saved one must begin by acknowledging their need if a Savior because of their sin.

Deuteronomy ~ In chapter 21 we find a man who was murdered outside the city—Jesus Christ was murdered outside the city of Jerusalem. You and I and the entire human race are responsible for His death. He died in our place so that we might live eternally.

Additional Comment ~ Jesus Christ while on earth quoted from all five books of the Pentateuch.