Without Blemish

The Passover Lamb was chosen on the 10th day of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. Then it had to be tested to make sure it had no physical or character flaws… “In the tenth day of this first month they shall take to themselves a lamb… your lamb shall be without blemish…” (Exodus 12:3-6).

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the 10th day of the first month and on that day… “The scribes and the chief priests sought how they might destroy Him.” For the next three days, they tested Him, “trying to catch Him in His words,” but Jesus left them speechless.  Even Pilate said, “I find no fault in this Man.”

Jesus’ testing proves His perfect righteousness and fitness to be our Lamb… “You were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19).  And the wonder of salvation is that Jesus took our sins away to give us His own nature of righteousness, “that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4). 

Therefore, the moment we turn away from sin and put our faith in Christ, our lives change.  A short chorus we sing says, “Things I loved before have passed away; things I love far more have come to stay.” And this is the truth of salvation.  … “You know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin (nature). Whoever abides in Him does not continue in sinful living: whoever continues to practice sin has not seen Him, nor known Him” (1 John 3:5,6).

We have so much to celebrate this Passover. May the wonder of standing “without-blemish” before His throne forever, fill your heart with inexpressible joy!

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)