Purity

In the biblical context, purity often refers to the state of being clean or unblemished, both physically and spiritually. The concept of purity is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it is associated with holiness and the requirements for worship and sacrifice. Leviticus 11-15 outlines various laws concerning ritual purity, emphasizing the need for the Israelites to distinguish between the clean and unclean. "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44).

Purity is not only a matter of external observance but also of the heart. Psalm 51:10 expresses a plea for inner purity: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." This theme is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of internal purity over mere external compliance. In Matthew 5:8, He declares, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

The New Testament further develops the idea of purity through the work of Christ. Believers are called to live pure lives, reflecting the holiness of God. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" Purity, therefore, is both a divine attribute and a human aspiration, achievable through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

The Passover Lamb

The Passover Lamb holds a central place in the narrative of the Exodus and the broader biblical account of redemption. Instituted in Exodus 12, the Passover commemorates God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Each household was instructed to select a lamb "without blemish, a year-old male" (Exodus 12:5) and to sacrifice it at twilight. The blood of the lamb was to be applied to the doorposts and lintels of the houses, serving as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" those homes during the final plague—the death of the firstborn.

The requirement for the lamb to be without blemish underscores the theme of purity. This stipulation foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is identified in the New Testament as the "Lamb of God." John the Baptist proclaims, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). Jesus' sinless life and sacrificial death fulfill the typology of the Passover Lamb, offering redemption and purification from sin.

The Apostle Paul draws a direct connection between Christ and the Passover in 1 Corinthians 5:7: "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." This identification highlights the continuity between the Old Testament sacrificial system and the New Testament fulfillment in Christ. The purity of the Passover Lamb is mirrored in the sinlessness of Jesus, whose blood provides atonement and reconciliation with God.

In the book of Revelation, the imagery of the Lamb continues to be significant. Revelation 5:12 proclaims, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" The Lamb's purity and sacrifice are central to the worship and adoration of the heavenly hosts, underscoring the eternal significance of Christ's redemptive work.

Thus, the themes of purity and the Passover Lamb are intricately connected, revealing the depth of God's plan for salvation and the call for His people to live in holiness.