The choice of the Lamb – Exodus 12:21
THE SACRIFICE THAT LIBERATES AND TRANSFORMS
Preaching Outline on Exodus 12:21 – “Then Moses summoned all the leaders of Israel and said, “Choose a lamb or a kid for each family and sacrifice it to celebrate the Passover!'”
Introduction to Exodus 12:21
A prophetic moment
The narrative of Exodus 12 describes this turning point. God is about to save Israel from slavery in Egypt, but before he can do so, he makes one demand: to choose a lamb and sacrifice it. In Moses’ case, this wasn’t just ritualistic; it was prophetic.
Even today, just as the Spirit of the Lord prepared the people for the Exodus, He prepares His Church for the rapture, reminding us: the choice made over the Lamb defines what is ours, that is, our eternal destiny.
The Hebrew Passover was about Christ from the beginning, the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world, as mentioned in Revelation 13. We are now living in the last hour, according to the word of the Lord: “choose you this day whom you will serve” taken from Joshua 24.
Development
The urgent call
AN INDIVIDUAL DECISION
“Moses called them all together…” (v.21).
Salvation begins when everyone hears the heavenly call, but each person must choose their own response. Just as each Israelite family had to choose individually which lamb to immolate, no one can believe for someone else. God has given us free will, but he warns us in his holy word: “Do not harden your hearts against me” (Hebrews 3:15). Today, the Holy Spirit continues to call: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20), but many are distracted by sin, indifference or worldly illusions, ignoring the heavenly invitation. Choosing the Lamb requires renouncing self (Luke 14:33) and giving Him priority in our lives (Matthew 6:33).
Which lamb have you chosen for your home? What occupies the altar of your heart: Christ or the gods of Egypt (pleasure, wealth, ego)?
The perfect Lamb
JESUS, THE ONLY SOLUTION
Passover is a celebration that dates back to the ancient times of the Israelites in Egypt. At that time, the Lord commanded each family to sacrifice a lamb without blemish. With its blood, they marked the doorposts so that the angel of death would pass through each home. In this way, they protected their first-born from the plague that was ravaging the Egyptians.
Years later, Jesus appeared as the perfect Lamb who would rid humanity of its imperfection. Without any sin, he gave his innocent life on the cross to save everyone. Like a lamb silent before the butcher, he was led to the sacrifice. However, His death had a greater purpose, so that He could take upon Himself the weight of the sin of all humanity.
Just as in those times, His redemption also protects us. Whoever believes in the Lord and accepts his grace will not perish, but have eternal life. There is no other way to the Father than through him. Therefore, we celebrate the Lamb who took away our sins and gave us salvation. Without his work on the cross, we would remain condemned. But thanks to his compassion, we have been freed from slavery to evil.
The necessary sacrifice
THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION
The sacrifice of the lamb in the Temple required suffering and public display. It wasn’t enough to choose the animal; it was imperative to kill it and use its blood. In the same way, faith in Christ requires inner transformation: repentance, complete surrender and proclamation of the truth (Romans 10:9-10). The cross reveals the weight of sin and the magnitude of God’s love: “Christ died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who died and rose again for them” (2 Corinthians 5:15).
Egypt trusted in false gods (Exodus 12:12), but their idols were humiliated. Today, many rely on religion, good works or philosophy, but “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Only the blood of Christ purifies (1 John 1:7).
THE IMMINENT JUDGMENT
CHOICE AND CONSEQUENCES
That night in Egypt, there was no neutrality: whoever did not have the blood faced death; whoever is not for me is against me, Jesus warned. Choosing the Lamb brings preservation; peace and hope. Rejecting him means choosing judgment: and “he who does not believe is condemned already”. And just as Pharaoh hardened his heart until he was destroyed, many today play with grace, putting off the decision. Dear friend, “now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation”.
Conclusion of Exodus 12:21
THE MARK OF BLOOD ON YOUR LIFE
The choice of the Lamb is not just to avoid hell, but to live a new identity in Christ. Like the Israelites who came out of Egypt into the Promised Land, we are called to walk in holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). The blood of Jesus frees us from the past and from sin, purifies us in the present and guarantees us a glorious future in the presence of God.
If you haven’t chosen the Lamb of God yet, do it today! Repent, believe and cry out: “Lord Jesus, I receive you as my Savior. Apply your blood to me!” If you have already chosen Him, proclaim His death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26). Remember: “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12).
More Preaching Outlines
- When hay is removed… – Proverbs 27:25-27
- 1 Samuel 16:5-6 – Is your coming one of peace?
- The seventy elders – Numbers 11:25-29
