 WELCOME! On the night of the Passover, the Israelites took an unblemished lamb and slaughtered it, smearing the blood from the lamb on their doorposts and lintels. God also commanded the people to eat the roasted flesh of the Passover lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. This was the "Lord’s Passover," when the angel of death passed over the homes of those marked by the blood of the lamb. Tonight, as the Church gathers in holy vigil on Easter Eve, we rejoice that "Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). His innocent life was given into death in order that we would be spared God’s just judgment. And just as the people of Israel ate the roasted flesh of the Passover sacrifice, so also do we eat the paschal food of Christ’s body and blood in the salutary gift of the Lord’s Supper. His blood is smeared on the doorposts and lintels of our hearts, and the angel of death passes over us, as we sing in the hymn: "Where the paschal blood is poured, Death’s dread angel sheathes the sword; Israel’s hosts triumphant go Through the wave that drowns the foe. Alleluia!" (LSB 633:3) TAGS: Service Announcements
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