The door is worn, broken, and scarred.  It has been well-used and, perhaps, even abused.  There are splinters and cracks.  Evidence of someone trying to force it open or break it down.  And there is blood!  A sure sign of trauma and struggle.

There is a ghostly figure standing in front of the door.  His posture is one of submission, as well as strength.  He is bowing, patient, waiting, as if in prayer.  I can’t see his face, but I sense steadfast determination.  His arms are outstretched with his strong hands gripping the doorposts as if he is preventing someone from entering. 

Who could that be? 

Who, or what, is he preventing from entering?

Who, or what, is behind that door?

What else could that blood represent other than trauma and struggle? 

Perhaps love? Perhaps sacrifice?  Perhaps protection?

I recently watched a presentation on the Passover.  That short video completely changed my view of the meaning of “passover”.  The Hebrew word pacach can indeed be translated as passover, but it can also be expanded to mean protection.  Why the concept of protection was not paramount in my thinking about Passover is beyond me.

I was previously very interested in the history, meaning, and Jewish celebration, but my interest was shallow.  After all, it was several thousand years ago in Egypt when an angel of death passed over Hebrew homes.  And even though I understand and believe Jesus is the substitutionary “Passover lamb” sacrificed on my behalf, my focus was on His crucifixion, not the historical Passover as protection.  I understood the biblical connection, but there was a personal disconnect with the actual, historical account. When I began to understand the expanded meaning of protection, it became personal. 

As I looked further, I found information stating that “Exodus 12:23 expands the concept: “The LORD will pass over the doorway and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down.” The verb thus conveys not only passing by but also shielding, a hovering guardianship rooted in covenant promises.  The rite teaches that God’s people are protected when they remain under His provision.” (Biblehub.com)

As I was reading and contemplating, I envisioned not just an angel of death passing over those blood-stained doors, but someone standing in the doorway protecting the home.  I envisioned that the broken, cracked, abused, splintered, scarred door could be me, or it could be the door to my home, now, today.  The connection to the Passover event several thousand years ago became very real and personal.   I realized that my focus on the angel passing over Hebrew homes in Egypt was misplaced; it must be on the One protecting me, my home, my loved ones, today!

And it must be on the sacrificial blood poured out on my behalf that surrounds and covers me.  The door is me.  The door is the entrance to my heart, my life, my existence, my very being. 

The blood clearly shows there was struggle and trauma, but most importantly, it expresses sacrifice, love, and protection.

It expresses the truth that death has been defeated. 

It expresses Eternal Life offered to anyone who would receive it in faith.

It is without reservation that I have received Jesus Christ as my Savior and Protector.  He is my Provision, and He is alive!

Be blessed.  Be encouraged.  You and I are loved.

HE HAS RISEN!

Mike