8th February, 2023

A thought from George Ford

‘The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt. . . . “Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.” . . . “Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door-frames of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.” . . .
“This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand.” . . . “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, . . . when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”
(Exodus 12:1-13 abr.)

‘Then Moses summoned the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover Lamb . Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some blood on the top and on both sides of the door-frame.’ . . .
‘When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the door-frame and will pass over that doorway,’ . . . ‘The Israelites did just what the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, . . .’
‘During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested.”’ . . .
’And on that very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.’
(Exodus 12:21-22, 23, 28, 29a, 31 & 51)

Reflection

God delivered his people but they had to play their part and needed to act in faith. God is always true to his word – but are we? When we follow Him by responding to His loving guidance it changes our lives. We today are able to know the shedding of blood for the Jewish passover for their freedom was to be the forerunner of the freedom we all have through Jesus. His blood shed on the cross to free us from the captivity of our sin and the many other forms of evil that so easily hold us captive. May we follow his loving ways, know His freedom and praise His name. As Charles Wesley 1707-88 said in his hymn ‘My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose went forth and followed thee’.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, who saw the anguish and agony of the Israelites and rescued them from captivity, we pray for those who today are held in any kind of captivity.
We think of economic migrants, and those being trafficked between countries. Those trapped in modern day slavery, or enslaved by drugs and prostitution, gambling and alcohol, or illnesses of mind or body, Strengthen we pray all who work to restore their broken lives, that they might know your healing love, and the freedom we each can have through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.

Worship

‘Set my spirit free that I might worship thee. Set my Spirit free that I may praise thy name. Let all bondage go and let deliverance flow. Set my Spirit free to worship thee. Set my spirit free that I might worship thee. Set my Spirit free that I may praise thy name. Let all bondage go and let deliverance flow. Set my Spirit free to worship thee.’
(Dr E. Charlotte Baker)