When your children say to you, “What do you mean by this service?” . . . you shall say, “It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord.” — Exodus 12:26-27
One of the most important events in Jewish history is the exodus, when God freed His people from the bondage of Egypt. Prior to leaving Egypt, the Israelites were commanded to eat a special meal called the Passover. As an act of judgment upon the Egyptians, God said that He would strike down every firstborn son, but He would pass over the houses that had the blood of a lamb on the top and sides of the door frame (Ex. 12).
To commemorate this act of judgment and grace, God’s people would share in the Passover meal. God said that one day their children would ask: “What do you mean by this?” They were then responsible to retell the story of the exodus and God’s salvation. God did not want the story of His great salvation to get lost in one generation.
When our children ask us about our values, lifestyle, prayer in decision-making, Bible-reading, church attendance, and worship, we have a responsibility to answer them. We are followers of Jesus. We must retell the story of how He became our Passover Lamb. His blood is the marker over our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin but are free to serve the Eternal One of heaven.
What are you teaching the children? — Marvin Williams
How great, O God, Your acts of love!
Your saving deeds would proclaim
That generations yet to come
May set their hope in Your great name. — D. De Haan
READ: Ex. 12:13-17, 25-27
A parent’s life is a child’s guidebook.
The Bible in one year:
• 2 Peter 1-3
• Proverbs 16:22-33