We all love a good beginning. No one likes to have a bad start.

During this Easter season when we commemorate what Christ has accomplished for us, we remember what happened before that Good Friday – the Passover (Matthew 26:17-30).

This significant event can be traced all the way back to Exodus 12, the first Passover that was observed. It details how the houses of the Israelites in Egypt were passed over when the Lord struck down all the Egyptians’ firstborn.

This was followed by Israel’s exodus out of Egypt, where they had been slaves for 400 years. The Passover would usher in a new beginning for Israel, the start of their religious year.

“This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.” (Exodus 12:2)

Every new beginning is a renewing of hope to set things right again.

When Pharaoh resigned to let God’s people go, their physical crossover from Egypt to the Promised Land began. Symbolically, it represented their crossing over from death to life, from sin to holiness.

For the Israelites, their New Year was marked by redemption, readiness and resolve. They:

• started the new year with sacrifice and atonement (Exodus 12:3-7) in remembrance of God’s redeeming grace.
• prepared themselves to move when God called (Exodus 12:11) by eating the Passover meal in haste, with their cloak tucked in and sandals strapped on.
• got rid of all the yeast in camp (Exodus 12:15-20) as an act of consecration to God and resolve to live holy lives.

WE GET A NEW BEGINNING TOO

Every new beginning is a renewing of hope to set things right again.

Before Jesus went to the Cross, He celebrated the Passover as well – only this time it was different. In the safety of a home, there stood the true Passover lamb, the Saviour, in the midst of His disciples.

All His life Jesus was readying and preparing Himself to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. He resolved in his heart to accomplish the will of His Father (Matthew 26:39, 42), and soon would become the redeemer of the world.

Jesus was the Passover lamb that gave us our new beginning.

As He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, He foreshadowed the physical death that He would experience moments later on the Cross – His life in exchange for the ones He loved.

As He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to His disciples, He reminded them again that the shedding of His blood would give eternal life and a new beginning to all who would believe in Him.

God the Father would look upon the blood shed on the Cross and pass over our sins. That day, once and for all, Jesus put an end to “Egypt”.

Jesus was the Passover lamb that gave us our new beginning (1 Corinthians 5:7).

As His people, we now have the choice whether we want to return to “Egypt”, but “Egypt” will no longer have a hold over us.

By faith I know I’ve been redeemed by Christ. But I also know I’m not always ready and resolute to bid “Egypt” goodbye.

How many times have I messed up, only to limp back to the throne of grace to ask for forgiveness.

“Lord, help me put away sin, and put on the new life that you have purchased for me in Christ.” (Galatians 3:13-15)

“Lord help me not to misuse your grace, and live a life that is worthy of you.” (Colossians 1:10)

As I look back and trace God’s hand in rescuing me out of “Egypt”, I want to resolve not to misuse God’s grace and to live a life of holiness set apart for Him – all this from the starting point of my new and redeemed life in Christ.

When God calls His people out, He doesn’t leave them wandering in the “desert”. On the contrary He already has the next destination in mind.

Saying goodbye to “Egypt” is another way of saying hello to the “Promised Land”. But the “desert” still stands in between.

This life is our “desert”, and the eternal home in heaven, our “Promised Land”.

Fighting the return to “Egypt” might be a lifelong battle, but Christ calls us to look to Him and hold fast to Him who has overcome the world and soldier on.

A thousand times I’ve failed still your mercy remains.
And should I stumble again I’m caught in His grace.
– Hillsong “From the Inside Out“

Let us not give up bidding “Egypt” goodbye. Let us, by the grace of God, daily pick ourselves up and continue the journey.

We have already begun our journey, and by faith we believe Christ will lead us safely home.