Exodus 12:1-13, 21-28. Passover is a Good Day... Unless You're the Lamb.

Observation: It's the "season finale" in the epic story of Israel's escape from Egypt. God is preparing the final plague: the death of all the firstborn of Egypt. It should not have come to this. Even though the Biblical text says it was the Lord who hardened Pharaoh's heart, it would be clear to any observer, based on his actions, that pride and hubris have taken Pharaoh's mind captive. He has been raised to believe he is a God, and many of his people worship him accordingly. Even the overwhelming evidence--frogs, flies, gnats, rivers running red, darkness, boils--is not enough to convince him to change course and free God's people. So tonight is the night. And the only protection the Israelites have from the angel of death is the blood of a slaughtered lamb, to paint on their doors. If they fail to use it, they too could be part of the collateral damage of this tragedy. Pharaoh's actions have far-reaching consequences, and a lot of innocent people are going to lose their lives because of his choice.

Application: In yesterday's Gospel story, John the Baptist almost heckles Jesus: "Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" Even if Jesus already knows exactly what this means, which John's Gospel suggests he does, this seems almost like rubbing it in. 

"Hey guys, look at this guy who's going to be crucified, and who's going to bear the full weight and consequences of our angry, hateful, sin-intoxicated world on his shoulders! Let's all have a good stare!"

But I don't think John is simply gawking. I think he is functioning like a fire alarm, or one of those green "exit" signs that are designed to be visible even when the power goes out. He's that weird sound you hear on the emergency broadcast system. Only this is not a test. John is pointing to Jesus and saying "Attention please: that man is our tornado shelter. Please proceed quickly and calmly to his side, and listen closely for further instructions." 

Jesus Christ is the lamb of God. In John's Gospel, he's even killed on the same day the Passover lamb is slaughtered. The symbolism is clear. Like Pharaoh, we have set ourselves, our world, and even our children, on a collision course with death. Our choices and our attitudes toward one another, and toward the God who is trying to save us, will bring only destruction. The wages of sin is death. Our only hope is the Lamb of God. To go to his side, to trust in him, to listen and follow him, and to let his own self-sacrifice do what it's supposed to do: bring life and freedom. 

Attention humankind: this is an emergency. Please proceed quickly and calmly to the shelter provided by the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 

Prayer: Oh Lamb of God, have mercy on us. Our hearts have been hardened to our neighbors. Freedom is a foreign concept to us. Only your sacrifice can save us. Lamb of God, grant us peace. Amen.