Ye shall keep this service.
Celebration of the Passover
I. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the principle of vicarious suffering. It is seen in the birth of the infant, in the history of the family circle, in the events of everyday life, but supremely in the Cross of Christ. In the Cross of Christ it is seen in its highest embodiment, in its truest meaning, and in its most glorious possibility. There is the innocent dying for the guilty, the God-man suffering for the race.
II. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the need of falling in with all the requirements of the great scheme of salvation. The method whereby the Israelites were to be protected from the stroke of the Destroying Angel was Divinely originated, clearly revealed, and imperative in requirement. The sinner must be saved in God’s way, and not after his own. He may reason about the peculiarity of the method of salvation; be may think that other means will be more effective to the end desired; but if he at last is found out of the Divine way of safety, he will inevitably be lost. The blood of Christ sprinkled on the heart is the only sign the Destroying Angel will recognize and regard as the token of safety.
III. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the fact that the Divine method of salvation will avert the most awful peril. The trustful soul shall not be hurt by the second death.
IV. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the fact that the efficacy of the Divine method of salvation should be associated with public religious ordinances (Exodus 12:24).
V. In this incident we have a clear recognition of the fact that the good should be able to give an intelligent explanation of their moral safety (Exodus 12:27). (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
The need of an intelligent apprehension of the service and worship of God
I. It is necessary in order to the true performance of religious service and worship.
II. It is necessary in order to the true performance of parental duty and instruction.
III. It is necessary in order to refute and silence the sceptical reasonings of men. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
The blood of sprinkling and the children
I. The importance attached to the blood of sacrifice is here made very plain.
1. It became and remained the national mark.
2. It was also the saving token.
3. It was rendered as conspicuous as possible.
4. It was made very dear to the people themselves by the fact that they trusted in it in the most implicit manner.
5. The paschal bloodshedding was to be had in perpetual remembrance.
6. This sprinkling of the blood was to be an all-pervading memory.
II. The institution that was connected with the remembrance of the Passover. Inquiry should be excited respecting spiritual things in the minds of children. The doctrine of the expiatory sacrifice is a gospel for the youngest. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Children should be taught the doctrine of the Cross
It is well to explain to children the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, for this shows forth the death of Christ in symbol. I regret that children do not oftener see this ordinance. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper should both be placed in view of the rising generation, that they may then ask us, “What mean ye by this?” Now, the Lord’s Supper is a perennial gospel sermon, and it turns mainly upon the sacrifice for sin. You may banish the doctrine of the Atonement from the pulpit, but it will always live in the Church through the Lord’s Supper. You cannot explain that broken bread and that cup filled with the fruit of the vine, without reference to the Lord’s atoning death. You cannot explain “the communion of the body of Christ” without bringing in, in some form or other, the death of Jesus in our place and stead. Let your little ones, then, see the Lord’s Supper, and let them be told most clearly what it sets forth. Tell them who it was that suffered, and why. And when attention is excited upon the best of themes, let us be ready to explain the great transaction by which God is just, and yet sinners are justified. Children can well understand the doctrine of the expiatory sacrifice; it was meant to be a gospel for the youngest. The gospel of substitution is a simplicity, though it is a mystery. We ought not to be content until our little ones know and trust in their finished Sacrifice. This is essential knowledge, and the key to all other spiritual teaching. With all their gettings may they get an understanding of this, and they will have the foundation rightly laid. This will necessitate your teaching the child his need of a Saviour. You must not hold back from this needful task. Do not flatter the child with delusive rubbish about his nature being good and needing to be developed. Tell him he must be born again. Don’t bolster him up with the fancy of his own innocence, but show him his sin. Mention the childish sins to which he is prone, and pray the Holy Spirit to work conviction in his heart and conscience. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)