Lutheran Lens Commentary: Exodus 12:1-14

Lutheran Lens Reading of Exodus 12:1-14

Tradition-Specific Interpretation

When we read Exodus 12:1-14 through the Lutheran Lens, we see the Passover as a profound foreshadowing of Christ's sacrificial work for our salvation. The slaughtered lamb and the blood applied to the doorposts prefigure Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood is shed for the forgiveness of sins. This passage reveals both Law and Gospel: the Law is present in the demand for precise obedience to God's instructions, exposing our inability to fulfill God's commands perfectly. The Gospel shines through in God's provision of a means of salvation — the Passover lamb — pointing us to Christ's atoning sacrifice. We recognize this as a type of Christ, fulfilling the promise of redemption.

Key Language Decisions

In the original Hebrew, the term 'pesach' (Passover) is pivotal, indicating a divine act of 'passing over' or 'sparing.' This term emphasizes God's gracious action, not human merit. The phrase 'blood will be a sign' (Exodus 12:13) underscores the sacramental nature of God's provision — a sign that points beyond itself, just as the sacraments do in our tradition. Our emphasis on the blood as a means of grace reflects our understanding of God's efficacious Word and promise in the sacraments.

Where Traditions Diverge

Our Lutheran tradition diverges from Reformed interpretations that might see the Passover primarily as a moral or covenantal obligation, focusing instead on the typological and Christological significance. We differ from Roman Catholic readings that might emphasize the Passover as a prefigurement of Mass; we focus on the once-for-all nature of Christ's sacrifice and the means of grace. These distinctions matter because they influence our understanding of how God's grace is delivered and received.

Pastoral Application

In preaching this passage, we should emphasize that, like the Israelites, we are saved not by our works but by God's gracious provision. The Passover points us to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood covers us and secures our redemption. Our congregations should hear the assurance that, despite our inability to perfectly keep God's Law, Christ has fulfilled it on our behalf. We celebrate this through the means of grace, particularly in the Lord's Supper, where the promise of forgiveness is tangibly given. Our message should comfort the sinner, reminding them of their baptismal identity as those marked by Christ's saving work.

Cross-References: John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:19

Doctrinal Connections: sacramental theology; theology of the cross; Christology; Law and Gospel distinction