Title Who Rejoices / Exodus 12:43-51
Content Who has joy / Exodus 12:43-51
Key Verse: “And through him we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).
Word: What day did you mark as important on the calendar? Family birthdays, wedding anniversaries, children's entrance ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, baptismal days! The Passover is very important to the nation of Israel! It is the day the nation was saved. In Korea, August 15th is the same as Liberation Day. In the Passover, the identity of the nation of Israel is at stake. It is said that the story most emphasized by Jews while raising children is the Exodus incident related to the Passover.
The Passover is the feast of salvation. Liberation Day. So, the Passover is filled with joy, thanksgiving, and festivals. Anyone who was saved from forced labor in Egypt will dance on this day. On this day all that had ever held the Israelites in bondage was lifted. Now you can fly freely into the sky. Think about it. How good are liberation and freedom? If the bondage is heavy, liberation is joy like a feather; if the state of being afflicted with a disease is gloomy, getting up from the disease is joy.
A man came into the banquet hall and danced and sang. After playing happily for a while, the person asks. “What day is it?” It is not the case that someone who does not know the meaning of the Passover festival comes and rejoices simply by expressing his feelings. Only those who know the meaning of salvation contained in the Passover can enjoy that joy. This is why we are talking about circumcision as a condition of participating in the Passover meal. Circumcision is the evidence and confession that you belong to God. In today's terms, it is believing in Jesus and being baptized. God rescued the Israelites from Egypt because Israel is “God’s.” First, it must be God's. Only then can you enjoy the joy of salvation.
The blessings and joys recorded in the Bible are not common to everyone. It is for those who are saved through the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, that is, those who have received spiritual circumcision. We should live our lives enjoying the joy of salvation that has been given to our families to the fullest. For this, we must meditate deeply on the grace of the cross.
Prayer: May you always enjoy the joy and thrill of salvation and have a positive and broad heart. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord's Prayer