The Foolishness of the Cross

Exodus 12:7
“Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.” And “the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”
This is a very bizarre act. Those that were diligent in keeping a tidy house cringed at the action of painting their doorposts with blood. Others may have thought it seemed occultic. This was to be done on every jewish household. This would make them exempt from the last plague, the taking of the first born. They had no idea of the symbolism that God was using. Just like an author will script a novel with symbolism, so God is doing the same here. Far in the future, one of their own, Jesus, will die for the sins of the world. If any accept His sacrifice, spiritual death will pass them over. This is the reason for the emphasis on the ‘blood of Jesus’. The communion element (wine) highlights the blood. It’s also said of Him, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” John 1:29. And in Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony,” Back in the garden was the original fall. God brought a mild reconciliation when He slew the animals to make clothes for them. The Egypt passover act was another. God set up a system of sacrifices for sin in the jewish form of worship. The death of Jesus was the final blood sacrifice. Hebrews 9:22 says, “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The jews were well aware that there had to be a blood payment for sin. Some of the jews back in Moses’ day opted out, due to the strangeness of the act. The result was that the firstborn in their household died.. Today, many don’t accept Jesus’ sacrifice because of the oddity of the story. There are many justifications; for example, “God is love, He’ll understand that I couldn’t accept this fairytale.” 1 Corintheans 1:18 says, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.” Jesus’ death was God’s choice for the sacrifice for sin. He offered no other way. It was an expensive method; it cost Jesus His life. We might not like the method chosen, we just have to past it. An honest man in scripture shared his struggles with his doubts this way,  “I do believe; help my unbelief.” God understands us. We can be honest with Him. When understood, it’s an amazing act of love. Much like a navy seal would sacrifice his life for a mission, Jesus’ life and death was a rescue mission. Lord, thank You for Your sacrifice.