The gift of redemption—Jesus dying in our place—is available to everyone. But it must be believed. It must be received. And to those who believe and receive this gift, there is eternal life.
What is so significant about Good Friday?
“For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and again, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (v. 36). Throughout Scripture, even into Revelation, Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God.
This is not merely a description, but a declaration of what He came to accomplish: Redemption.
“Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people” (Titus 3:13-14).
Redemption means to redeem, to buy back, to release from bondage or ownership, to pay a price that brings freedom. In many contexts, it carries the idea of salvation, being rescued from sin and brought into relationship with God.
Regarding Passover, God clearly displayed redemption in a vivid and intentional way. All firstborn belong to Him. But not all firstborn are clean. Clean animals may be sacrificed, but an unclean animal, like a donkey, must be redeemed by a lamb. If no lamb is provided, it must die (Exodus 13:13; 34:18-20). The same principle applies to the firstborn sons. They must be redeemed by a lamb.
God designated the Passover lamb as an acceptable offering and sacrifice, but the donkey is unclean and unfit to be offered. Yet, remarkably, God had no desire for the donkey to die. Instead, He provided a way for the donkey live. The donkey could be redeemed by a lamb. In other words, for the donkey to live freely, a lamb must die in its place. But if the donkey is not redeemed, if no lamb is provided, its neck must be broken. It will die.
The principle is clear. Unless redeemed by a lamb, the donkey must die.
Now consider the triumphal entry.
All four Gospels record that when Jesus, the Lamb of God, entered Jerusalem on the week He would be crucified, He was riding on—notice—a donkey. Coincidence? Not a chance. As Matthew records, “Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly and sitting on a donkey…” (Zechariah 9:9). This was not incidental. It was intentional.
In light of Passover, the picture becomes clear. The Lamb would be given to redeem what is unclean. Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb, would lay down His life in place of a people born in sin, to redeem us. And He did!
“You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19), perfectly matching the description of the Passover lamb in Exodus 12:5, “You lamb shall be without blemish.” For what purpose? Redemption.
We have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb. Amen!
And yet, as beautiful as this is, there is another side, a sobering reality.
God said that if the donkey is not redeemed, its neck must be broken. In other words, if it is not redeemed, it must die. The same is true for us.
Every person who does not accept Jesus as their Passover lamb and redeemer will perish. John 3:16 states both sides very clearly, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
The gift of redemption—Jesus dying in our place—is available to everyone. But it must be believed. It must be received. Otherwise, a person remains in their sin and will perish. But to those who believe and receive this gift, there is eternal life.
Will you receive Jesus as your Passover Lamb?
If you have not made Jesus the Lord of your life, or perhaps you said a prayer some time ago, but for one reason or another you find yourself not truly living for Him, now is the time to respond and fully receive what Jesus provided for you. He has already died in your place. Now it’s your turn to respond.
The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. It’s time to receive His gift of redemption and eternal life.
Pray this prayer aloud, and mean it in your heart:
Dear God, thank You for loving Me and tugging at my heart today. I confess that I have sinned and need Your forgiveness. I believe in You and in Your Son, Jesus. I believe in my heart that Jesus died in my place to redeem me and give me eternal life. I believe You raised Him from the dead, and He is alive today. Today, I commit my life to Jesus. I choose this day to follow Him. I know I am not perfect and make mistakes, but I know You love me and will help me become the person You have called me to be. I love You. From this moment forward, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer for the first time, or if you made a recommitment to the Lord, this is not the end. This is the beginning. The beginning of a brand new life.
Find a good, solid, Bible-teaching church and attend every week. Get involved. Buy a Bible and begin reading it. The Gospel of John is a good place to start. Attend Bible studies. Pray. Make new friends who will encourage you in your new walk with God. And most importantly, continue to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
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Tristan Fenholt 