Today Daily Devotional

“When the Lord goes through the land . . . he will see the blood . . . and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter. . . .”

— Exodus 12:23

The firstborn sons of Israel were spared from death on Passover night. But this was not because they were better than the children of the Egyptians. The Israelites were no less sinful or depraved than the Egyptians. The Israelite firstborn were spared only because of the blood of the lamb.

When the Lord passed through Egypt and saw the blood on the doorframes of Israelites’ houses, he passed over those houses and did not allow the destroyer (death) to enter there.

It was not enough for the lamb to die. It was also necessary that the lamb’s blood be applied to the doorframe as a sign of God’s protection.

Likewise, it is not enough to know that Jesus Christ died on the cross. It is necessary to receive, by faith, the benefits of his death.

Christ died for our sins and rose again for our justification. Now we must receive him as our personal Savior. He is our Passover Lamb!

Lord, we are saved not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of your grace through the blood of Jesus. Guide us to receive and trust in him as the one and only Savior. Thank you for your saving grace! Amen.

You were redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

— 1 Peter 1:18-19

The lamb sacrificed for the Passover had to be a lamb “without defect” (Exodus 12:5). This ritual pointed to the perfect and complete sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for us many years later.

There is no remission of sins without the shedding of blood. But the blood of lambs cannot truly atone for sin. On Passover night, when the lamb was sacrificed and its blood was sprinkled on the doorframe, that pointed to the Lamb of God, “without blemish or defect,” who died for our sins and shed his blood on the cross so that we might be redeemed from sin and death and cleansed from all impurity.

The lamb for sacrifice could not have any defects. This pointed to Jesus Christ, who was without sin but suffered and took on the curse of sin for us. He died for our sins—the just for the unjust. His death was substitutionary. He suffered the blow of the law that we should suffer. He drank the cup of wrath that we should drink. He died our death to give us his life.

O God, we exalt your great name for the great mercy you have shown us. We deserved all of the punishment for our sin. But Christ suffered in the place of us all. Praise be to you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

— John 1:29

Several texts in the Bible speak of a lamb that was sufficient to be a substitute.

In Genesis 22, God tests the faith of Abraham by calling him to give up his only son, Isaac. And when Isaac said, “The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And God provided a young ram as a substitute for Isaac.

In Exodus 12, the Passover lamb, with its blood painted on the doorframes of Israelite houses, was a sufficient substitute for sparing Israel from the plague of death on the firstborn sons in Egypt.

In Isaiah 52-53, the willing sacrifice of God’s faithful, suffering servant, “led like a lamb to the slaughter,” would be sufficient to pay for the sins of God’s people from “many nations.” He would bear “the iniquity of us all.”

All of these texts point forward to Jesus, and in John 1:29 we read that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is sufficient to take away the sin of the world.

The Lamb of God is sufficiently powerful to save the whole world. Jesus, God’s one and only Son, died to purchase with his blood “persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Loving Father, the blood of Jesus is sufficient to set me free from sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I praise and glorify you for your great love for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“When your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord. . . .’”

— Exodus 12:26-27

Passover is an ancient feast that celebrates God’s deliverance of his people Israel from slavery in Egypt (around 1440 B.C.). Israel had been in bitter captivity to the Egyptians. The people groaned and cried out to God for deliverance. God saw the people’s suffering, heard their cry, and prepared Moses to lead them to freedom, where they could worship and live for the Lord. God called them out of Egypt so that they could shine like a light and share his blessings with all nations. God’s command to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, was urgent: “Let my people go, so that they may worship me” (Exodus 8:1; see also 5:1; 7:16, 8:20; 9:1, 13; 10:3). But Pharaoh hardened his heart, and God sent ten plagues, showing that the false gods of Egypt had no power to help them. The last plague was devastating, bringing death to the firstborn in every Egyptian family. Every Israelite family sacrificed a lamb and put its blood on their doorframe. That night God passed over those houses and would not let death enter. But in all other houses the firstborn died.

So Israel was set free. The blood of the lamb that was sacrificed for each household was a sign that death could not enter there. And this sign pointed to Jesus, whose death once for all sets us free from the curse and slavery of sin.

Lord, thank you for setting us free. Through Jesus and by your Spirit, guide us to worship you and live for you. Amen.

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 4:7

During this month in our reflections on peace, we have dug into the Scriptures and human history, dived into our memories, and revisited some of life’s most challenging experiences. We have prayed and contemplated. In this world filled with wars, violence, and pain, we have sought to find God’s shalom.

Today let’s look again at some verses from Philippians 4. Paul wrote this letter from a jail in Rome, where he was awaiting a verdict from the imperial court. Despite the sad circumstances of Paul’s imprisonment for Jesus’ sake, this letter is often called his epistle of thanks and joy.

In our verses today Paul calls his readers first of all to “rejoice in the Lord.” It’s a command that he repeats: “Rejoice!” The reason for this unyielding joy is simple: the Lord is with us. In the person of Jesus Christ and through his Holy Spirit, the loving God is never far away from his children. Paul also reminds us to be gentle and caring ­toward others. That’s how we reflect Christ to them. And he encourages us not to be anxious about anything but to trust in the Lord completely, presenting our requests with thanks.

When we live with joy, gentleness, thanks, and trust in the Lord, the incredible peace of God fills us. It “guards [our] hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Have you found his incredible peace?

Merciful God, thank you for being near. Teach us to rely on you. Lead us to live with joy, gentleness, and trust in you, and fill us with your incredible peace. Amen.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

— 2 Timothy 4:7

Are you at peace when you reflect on your own mortality? Though our life with Christ will never end, we know that our journey on this earth is not going to last forever. One day we will stand in our Creator’s presence.

In 2 Timothy 4 the apostle Paul reflects on this important meeting. His thoughts about the end of his life on earth are filled with stirring emotion and striking imagery. He is honest with us in his sadness, just as he is strong in his Christian hope.

As Paul reflects on his years as an apostle of Christ, he uses language from the sports world. Paul says he has successfully finished the race and has observed all the rules—the teachings of Christ. He has kept the faith, and now he is ready to accept his award—the crown of righteousness.

Throughout his ministry Paul has trusted in his Savior. He is doing the same now as he nears the end of his life on earth and looks forward to a new adventure in God’s ­presence.

When our life on this earth runs its course, will we be able to say we have fought the good fight and kept the faith? Will we receive the crown of righteousness? Only by God’s grace can we be faithful, ­credited with Jesus’ righteousness and crowned to live in his presence forever.

Father, help us always to be prepared to meet you. Lead us in your way always, and make us worthy in Christ to receive the crown of righteousness you have in store for us. Amen.

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. . . .

— John 3:16

The siege of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) was one of the longest and deadliest sieges in recorded history. During World War II, Nazi forces held the city hostage for over two years, severely disrupting supply lines. This resulted in a terrible famine, and over 800,000 civilians died.

People who survived the siege no longer took their daily bread for granted. Even years later, they would feel anxious about food shortages and sometimes resort to hoarding. They would also get really upset when they saw food wasted or played with.

Today we are focusing on what is probably the most famous verse in the Bible—John 3:16. It has been called “the gospel in a nutshell” because it summarizes all that God has done for us. But in some parts of the world this verse has become so familiar that its profound meaning is sometimes overlooked or taken for granted.

To people who are aware of their need for God, this text is as valuable as a loaf of bread to a victim of famine. Propelled by his love for humanity, God the Father sent his one and only Son to save us. Now those who believe in him are saved from death and destruction—they “shall not perish.”

Let us treasure this truth every moment of our lives!

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to save us. Knowing Jesus puts our hearts at peace. Help us to live a life of thanksgiving for your salvation! Amen.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy. . . .

— Hebrews 12:14

For many years ReFrame’s Russian-language ministry has been producing a talk show called The Difficult Questions. In this live radio broadcast we ­answer listeners’ questions about the Bible and Christianity.

But sometimes we hear from people who have a complaint rather than an inquiry. One caller recently shared that her family left the church because the congregation had many bitter divisions and fights. The woman said that these conflicts weakened her faith.

In our Bible reading for today the author of Hebrews urges readers to “make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy.” This is not an optional short-term activity but a necessity that requires our lifelong commitment. People who are at peace with God are responsible to pursue peace in their relationships with others. You see, when we seek peace with others, we somehow ­mirror the likeness of God. In our love and friendships people see a reflection of God’s glory, and we personally grow in Christ.

The same is true about our personal holiness. A lack of holi­ness leads to sin that separates us from God. It also makes us a poor witness, and we can become a stumbling block to others who are searching for the Lord and seeking to grow in faith.

Do you know the Lord of peace? Does your life reflect that?

Father, guide us to reflect your peace and holiness in a way that is pleasing to you. Help us to be faithful witnesses to others. Amen.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

— Romans 12:18

The United Nations peacekeeping effort first began in 1948. Since then, UN peacekeepers have participated in 72 missions worldwide, a ­dozen of which continue today.

As Christians, we are called to be peacekeepers as well. This calling comes in the context of biblical advice on exercising love in action. In Christ we are called to be both genuine and practical in our love. That is done through devotion, humility, generosity, spiritual enthusiasm, empathy, and hospitality.

As the apostle Paul discusses these things, he urges us to “live at peace with everyone.” And he qualifies this by saying, “If it is possible” and “as far as it depends on you.” We need to be realistic about the effects of sin on our relations with others.

The UN peacekeepers’ first mission operation was to maintain the ceasefire during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Forty years later the UN peacekeeping force received the Nobel Peace Prize, and their mission in the Middle East is still operating today.

Realistically, living at peace with everyone at all times may not be possible for us. But we must strive for peace in our relations with others. It’s a lifelong calling that at times may be tough and unglamorous. Yet in our peacekeeping we have a prize to look forward to: God’s peace and favor.

Lord, may we love ­others as you have loved us—with compassion and care. Give us wisdom to be peacekeepers in our daily relations with ­others. Amen.

“The water I give [you] will become in [you] a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

— John 4:14

A media listener from Russia shared with us how he found himself in a spiritual desert after his wife left him. He became depressed and started drinking heavily. But getting drunk didn’t quench his ­inner thirst at all. Fortunately, he heard the gospel message on the radio. That was his first step toward finding healing and peace with God.

In our passage for today Jesus talks with a woman in Samaria about water. He discusses drinkable and living water. Fresh drinking water is a precious resource. Everyone needs it to survive. But Jesus says that the water he gives brings life. He provides living water that wells up within us to eternal life!

Many Old Testament passages speak of thirsting after God as being famished on a hot day and needing a cool drink. God is called the fountain of life and the spring of living water. In our reading today, living ­water refers to eternal life. Once we satisfy our spiritual thirst with living water, we will never thirst that way again. The Lord provides this living water in our souls so that we can draw upon it continuously.

If we feel lost in a spiritual ­desert, only Jesus can show us the way out. Only he can quench our thirst for God and give us the gift that satisfies the deepest desire of our souls.

Lord, thank you for spiritually refreshing our souls with living water through Jesus and by your Spirit. Help us to share this wonderful gift with all the thirsty people we meet. Amen.