Exodus 12

1. Everyone wants to find meaning in life. But the world’s ideas don’t always give good answers. Viktor Frankl, a man who survived the Holocaust, wrote about this in his book Man’s Search for Meaning. He said that people who lost hope were the first to die, because they had no reason to keep going. He believed that if you have a strong “why,” you can survive almost any “how.” Frankl explained that people find meaning in three ways: through their work, through love, and through courage in hard times. Even when everything else is taken away, he said, we can still choose how we respond. In his pain, he found strength by loving others and living for something greater than himself. This way of thinking—finding hope even in pain—is called tragic optimism. And it helps us understand what the gospel offers: a new life in Christ with a deeper purpose, unchanging love, and hope even in suffering.

2. As a Christian, thinking about life and its meaning is very important to me. That’s why today’s sermon is about the question, “What is life all about?” I chose this topic because the Bible talks a lot about life with God and life in Christ. From another point of view, the meaning of salvation is also the meaning of life in God. Today, we’ll look at Exodus 12, the story of the first Passover. Through this passage, we can go deeper into the meaning of life in God and in Christ. Let’s read Exodus 12:1–3 together.

Exodus 12:1–3 NASB 2020

Now the Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year for you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are, each one, to take a lamb for themselves, according to the fathers’ households, a lamb for each household.

3. Let's go over the main points of Exodus 12. Even though it's a long chapter, we can focus on these key events

God Starts the Passover (verses 1–28)

The Tenth Plague: Firstborn Die (verses 29–30)

Pharaoh Lets the Israelites Go (verses 31–36)

The Exodus Begins (verses 37–42)

Passover Rules Repeated (verses 43–51)

4. The Israelites lived in Egypt for over 400 years. During that time, they forgot their identity and the promise God made to them. This promise was a covenant between God and Abraham.

Genesis 15:13–14 NLT

Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth.

Genesis 15:15–16 NLT

(As for you, you will die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.) After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction.”

5. So, the Passover shows how God fulfilled His promise through Moses. With this event, even though we can see many other amazing signs, I want to focus on the new calendar. This is because our summer schedule theme is God's work of redemption. When the Israelites started celebrating the Passover while they were still in Egypt, they also began a new way of counting their years. This marked the beginning of their new year.

6. There are generally two main calendar systems in use around the world, and some countries notably employ different ones. For instance, several Asian nations, including Korea and China, utilize both the lunar and solar calendars. I recall that during my childhood, my family traditionally observed my birthday according to the lunar calendar. However, because the country officially operates on the solar calendar, my birthdate seemed to shift annually. Typically, the choice of calendar system is influenced by seasonal patterns and the passage of time. Interestingly, when God instructed Israel to count their years and establish their calendar, it was not based on these conventional considerations of season and time. 

7. Israel's calendar, commencing with the first Passover, marks a profound shift. This starting point isn't arbitrary; it signifies God's redemption from Egypt, a pivotal moment that transformed a group of enslaved people into a nascent nation. Before their exodus, while they held the identity of Israel, they were unable to observe their own calendar or customs. Their lives were dictated by the Egyptian system. However, with their liberation, they were empowered to establish their own way of counting days and seasons, reflecting their new status as God's chosen nation. This new calendar wasn't just a change in dates; it was a testament to their newfound freedom and identity.

Exodus 19:5–6 NIV

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

8. Israel operates with a unique calendar system, distinct from purely lunar or solar calendars, which reflects its deeply spiritual foundation. This is evident in its two New Year observances:

• The Religious New Year: This begins with Nisan, typically falling between March and April in the Gregorian calendar. Its starting point is rooted in the Passover and the Exodus from Egypt, signifying the birth of Israel as a nation and their redemption by God. This calendar highlights their spiritual journey and the divine timeline of their festivals.

• The Civil New Year: Observed with Tishrei, usually between September and October. This marks the beginning of the secular year and is traditionally associated with the creation of the world and the annual judgment.

9. While elements of lunisolar calculations are present to align holidays with seasons, the core of the Jewish calendar transcends mere astronomical or agricultural cycles. Its rhythm is profoundly tied to God's redemptive acts and His covenant with Israel. As the Apostle Paul emphasized, through redemption, believers are granted a completely new life in God. Similarly, Israel's calendar underscores that their existence and identity are not defined by earthly systems but by their unique relationship with the Divine. Their adherence to this distinct calendar is a powerful testament that their life belongs to, and is guided by, God's divine purpose.

2 Corinthians 5:16–17 NASB 2020

Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

10. Israel has truly been given a new life by God—they've been born again, so to speak. Their past was difficult and unsure, but now they have a life full of hope and purpose. What was once meaningless is now full of meaning. This shows the power of God's redemption. God's redemption isn't just about going to Heaven or everything becoming easy because we're saved. Instead, God's salvation gives us a new life in Him, enabling us to live according to His will.

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

11. Today, we celebrated two high school graduates embarking on a new chapter in their lives. Until now, they've been under their parents' wing, but it's time for them to forge their own paths. If their mindset remains stuck in the past, they won't be able to embrace this new beginning. They need to renew their minds first to truly start this journey. Similarly, when Israel was redeemed by God, they, too, needed to renew their minds in response to His redemptive work. God's redemption isn't an endpoint; rather, it's the beginning of a new journey with God. For instance, when the Israelites began to obey the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, they were able to reveal God's character and their own identity to the world. This illustrates that once we are saved, the next crucial step is to demonstrate our salvation to the world. Paul speaks clearly about this.

Philippians 2:12–13 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

12. In Philippians 2:12-13, while many English Bibles translate the phrase as "work out," the original Greek word actually means to demonstrate or present. Therefore, once we are saved, the crucial next step is for us to show and present our salvation to the world. And the sole way to truly display God's salvation is by following Jesus' new commandment in John 13:34-35.

John 13:34–35 NASB 2020

I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”

13. This is the conclusion: Living as Redeemed People Today Exodus 12 reminds us how urgent salvation is. Just like the Israelites had to act quickly and trust God, we also need to respond to Christ without delay. To be saved, we must build a personal relationship with Jesus, knowing we can’t save ourselves. Like the Israelites marked their doors with lamb’s blood, we must apply the blood of Jesus to our hearts by trusting Him fully as our Savior.

Living a New Life with a New Beginning The Passover was the start of a new life for Israel. In the same way, accepting Jesus is like being born again. It changes everything. The Bible says, “the old has gone, the new has come.” When we’re saved, we begin a spiritual journey, free from the power of sin and this world. We are called to live in a way that shows God is at the center—holy, humble, and worshipful lives that bring Him glory. This “new calendar” means we no longer live for ourselves, but for God.

Sharing the Story of Redemption God told the Israelites to teach the Passover story to their children so the story would live on. In the same way, we are called to share the gospel with others. Redemption is not just personal—it’s something we pass on. It’s our responsibility to tell the story to the next generation and to the world still in spiritual darkness. Through our witness, others can hear the good news and become part of God’s kingdom.

Podcast: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/8e2a6184-95cf-4a8e-84a5-9faa3ddc46bc/audio

I. Overview of Source Material

This sermon, "June 22 2025," focuses on the profound meaning of life through the lens of God's redemptive work, specifically examining the story of the first Passover in Exodus 12. It connects the historical liberation of Israel from Egypt to the Christian concept of salvation and new life in Christ. The sermon emphasizes that understanding salvation history, particularly the Passover, helps believers grasp a deeper purpose for their lives. It highlights key themes such as finding meaning, the significance of a "new calendar" (representing a new identity and purpose in God), and the call for believers to demonstrate their salvation through love and sharing the gospel.

II. Key Concepts and Themes

• Meaning in Life: Explores how individuals find meaning, contrasting the world's ideas (work, love, courage) with the gospel's offer of deeper purpose in Christ. Introduces Viktor Frankl's "tragic optimism."

• Salvation History: Focuses on the Passover as a pivotal event in God's fulfillment of His covenant with Abraham and the beginning of Israel's journey as a nation.

• The New Calendar/New Beginning: The establishment of Nisan as the beginning of Israel's year symbolizes their new identity and freedom in God, distinct from their enslavement in Egypt. This parallels the "new creation" in Christ for believers.

• Redemption: God's act of freeing Israel from bondage, serving as a prototype for spiritual redemption in Christ, leading to a new life lived according to God's will.

• New Life in Christ: Emphasizes that salvation is not merely an escape to heaven but a transformation into a "new creation," empowering believers to live with a new purpose and identity.

• Renewing the Mind: The necessity for a shift in perspective and mindset to embrace the new life offered through God's redemptive work, applicable to both ancient Israel and modern believers.

• Demonstrating Salvation: The idea that salvation is not an endpoint but a call to actively show and present God's saving work to the world, primarily through loving one another (John 13:34-35).

• Sharing the Gospel: The responsibility of believers to pass on the story of redemption to future generations and to those still in spiritual darkness.

III. Quiz

Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

• According to Viktor Frankl, how do people typically find meaning in life, and what concept does he introduce to describe finding hope in pain?

• What is the significance of God instructing Israel to begin a new calendar system at the time of the first Passover?

• How does the sermon differentiate between Israel's Religious New Year and their Civil New Year?

• Explain the connection drawn between Israel's unique calendar and the Apostle Paul's teaching in 2 Corinthians 5:16-17.

• What does the sermon suggest is the main purpose of God's redemption for believers, beyond simply going to heaven?

• Using the analogy of high school graduates, explain what "renewing their minds" means in the context of beginning a new journey with God.

• How does the sermon clarify the meaning of "work out your own salvation" as found in Philippians 2:12-13?

• According to John 13:34-35, what is the primary way for people to know that believers are disciples of Jesus?

• What two actions are highlighted as essential for individuals to be saved, drawing a parallel with the Israelites at Passover?

• Beyond personal salvation, what is the collective responsibility of redeemed people regarding the story of redemption?

VI. Answer Key

• Viktor Frankl believed people find meaning through their work, love, and courage in hard times. He introduced the concept of "tragic optimism" to describe finding hope even in suffering and pain.

• The new calendar system signified the beginning of Israel's new year and marked their transformation from enslaved people to a nascent nation. It symbolized God fulfilling His promise and establishing their new identity and freedom.

• Israel's Religious New Year begins with Nisan (March-April), tied to the Passover and Exodus, symbolizing their spiritual birth. The Civil New Year begins with Tishrei (September-October), associated with the creation of the world and annual judgment.

• The sermon connects Israel's unique calendar, which transcends conventional cycles and is tied to God's redemptive acts, to Paul's teaching that believers are a "new creation" in Christ. Both demonstrate an identity defined by their unique relationship with the Divine, not earthly systems.

• The sermon suggests that God's redemption isn't just about going to heaven or making life easy. Instead, it gives believers a new life in Him, enabling them to live according to His will and for a deeper purpose.

• Similar to how high school graduates need to change their mindset to embrace a new chapter, "renewing their minds" for believers means shifting their perspective from their past self or old ways to align with God's redemptive work. This is the crucial step to truly starting a new journey with God.

• The sermon clarifies that while many English Bibles translate the phrase as "work out," the original Greek word in Philippians 2:12-13 means to "demonstrate" or "present." Therefore, the crucial next step for saved individuals is to show and present their salvation to the world.

• According to John 13:34-35, all people will know that individuals are disciples of Jesus if they "have love for one another." This new commandment is the sole way to truly display God's salvation.

• To be saved, individuals must build a personal relationship with Jesus, acknowledging they cannot save themselves. They must also "apply the blood of Jesus to our hearts" by trusting Him fully as their Savior, similar to the Israelites marking their doors with lamb's blood.

• Beyond personal salvation, the collective responsibility of redeemed people is to "share the story of redemption" or "share the gospel." This means teaching it to their children so the story lives on, and passing it on to the next generation and the world still in spiritual darkness.