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-Small Groups -  Click here for information or to sign up for a Small Group

-The Music Man will be presented as our fall theatrical event...click here (www.ChristMemorialProductions.org) for full details and audition information. 

      Performances: November 13, 14,15 at 7:30 pm and November 16 at 2:00.

      Auditions: August 16 and 17 from 1- 5 PM..

Devotions

Passover Lamb

Rescuer from Death

Readings: Exodus 12:1-13 and 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Midnight was the time of death. The Lord visited Egypt and brought death to all the firstborn. This included the cattle in the field, the prisoners in the dungeon and even the members of Pharaoh’s household (Ex. 12:29). “Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead” (Ex. 12: 30).

The only exceptions were the Israelite slaves who trusted in the Lord. God told them ahead of time what would happen and how to avoid His approaching judgment. Trusting in His promise, each Israelite family killed a one-year-old male lamb without defect. They brushed some of its blood on the doorframes of their homes. That evening they ate the roasted lamb along with bitter herbs and unleavened bread (Ex. 12:7-8). As the Lord traveled through Egypt bringing His judgment of death, He “passed over” the homes of the Israelites, which were marked with the blood of the lamb, and spared their lives.

This Old Testament Passover directs us to Jesus, our Paschal Lamb, by whose blood we have eternal life. It is no accident or mere coincidence that when Jesus was given over to death it was during the Passover celebration in Jerusalem (Matt. 26:17-19). Jesus had just finished eating the Seder with His disciples— including the roasted lamb, the bitter herbs, and the unleavenedbread—before they went with Him to Gethsemane.

The lambs’ blood on the wooden doorframes in Egypt foreshadowed the blood Jesus shed on the wooden cross. The lambs’ blood in Egypt saved the Israelites from death; likewise the blood Jesus shed for us saves us from death. That is why He could tell Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11: 25-26).

Yes, Christians still die. But because of the resurrection and the life eternal we have in Jesus, the dominion of death is crushed. Death holds no power over us. Death is not the end of our lives. It is merely a change of address. We need not fear death because we know heaven awaits. Yes, we still mourn the loss of our loved ones—and rightfully so. But the pain of that loss is surpassed by the far greater joy of knowing that we will one day be reunited with our loved ones in heaven.

Referring to all who trust in Him, the Lord speaks through the prophet Hosea saying, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave. Where, O death, are your plagues, Where, O grave, is your destruction” (Hos. 13:14)? St. Paul mentions this passage in 1 Cor. 15:55 then follows with this note of praise, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57). Jesus has “destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, sometimes I am frightened by the shadow of death. Remind me that such fear is unnecessary, because Jesus is my Paschal Lamb who was handed over into death for me. He lives so that I too may live forever. Amen.