“Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones” (Exodus 12:46 NLT).
Among the many instructions God gave Moses concerning the Passover Lamb was that it must be a male without blemish and that they were not to “break one of its bones” in sacrificing it. God was preparing the Israelites not only for their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, but ultimately for redemption from their slavery to sin. For by establishing the Passover as an annual memorial, He was preparing them to recognize the true Lamb of God when He came.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb. He was the male without blemish, the sinless Son of God. And although it was Roman practice to break the legs of those they crucified, which they did to the two criminals on either side of Jesus, not one of His bones was broken.
As John reflected in his gospel, “For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’” (John 19:36).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are in awe of the inexpressible gift that You have given us in Jesus. So great a salvation is beyond words. We repent and believe. We trust Your Word, both written and incarnate. Strengthen us to proclaim Your gospel and Your praises to the nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.