THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
When John beheld the Lamb, he proclaimed, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29). He affirms that this is the Lamb of whom it had been prophesied. It is significant to note that it is not just referred to as ‘the lamb’ but specifically as ‘the Lamb of God.’ This distinction is made by John to clarify that, while there was another lamb—the Jewish lamb—this one is divine. The former was sacrificed for a single nation, while this lamb was offered for all creation. The blood of that lamb offered deliverance only to the Jews from physical punishment, whereas the blood of this Lamb serves as the universal purification for all.
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Furthermore, the power of the Jewish lamb’s blood stemmed not from its own essence, but derived its significance as a foreshadowing of Christ’s blood.
The means of salvation may seem insignificant, but the outcomes are profound. The blood was the means, yet its fruits were salvation, shielding, and liberation from ruin. The angel feared the blood because he recognized what it symbolized; he understood the implications of the Lord's death and thus abstained from touching the doorways. Moses instructed, "Anoint the doorposts," and upon doing so, the Jews had assurance of their safety. Likewise, you who possess the very blood of the Lamb of God, can you not be assured?
This imagery reveals the profound truth, just as with the lamb of sacrifice. By the blood of Christ, the universe was to be liberated from the curse. This seems a miraculous and incomprehensible act to the unaware hearts of the Jews, yet God prefigured this through the lamb. When He intended to strike down the firstborn of Egypt, wishing to spare the Israelites, what was His directive? Moses conveyed that God commanded the Israelites to choose a lamb without blemish, a male lamb, a year old, according to their families; and if they were insufficient in number, they should call their neighbors. They were instructed to select a flawless lamb and, having done so, to slay it and consume it roasted with fire, ensuring none of it was left over. With its blood, they were to mark their doorposts. This was not merely for the sake of the angel but to honor the blood that brought their salvation; for indeed, if the angel could discern the firstborn, he could differentiate between the Egyptians and the Israelites. Therefore, if a Jew questions your trust in the blood, you might respond, "Are you not ashamed? You were saved by the blood of the lamb, and shall I not be preserved by the blood of my Lord?"
The firstborn's demise passed over those who offered the purifying sacrifice of the lamb and marked their door frames with its blood, while the death that initially claimed the firstborn of mankind shall not hold those who partake in the sacrifice of the divine Lamb and receive the seal of faith in His redeeming blood.
In truth, Israel performed these sacrifices, believing that their offerings were pleasing to God and that they secured salvation, yet they overlooked that these acts were merely shadows of the one true saving offering. Thus, God, through Jeremiah, states, ‘and gave them no commandment in that day... of burnt offering and sacrifice’ (Jeremiah 7:22). Indeed, ‘there is no lie with God,’ and though He commanded the sacrifice, it was with prophetic intent that pointed toward Christ. The directive to offer a lamb symbolized the future sacrifice of Christ, with all aspects of the lamb representing Him. You have glimpsed some of these representations; further insights may be revealed in due course.
The divine rays of Christ's light have already illuminated the world, and the stars of the pure Spirit have risen high, as the heavenly powers open God's treasury. The long, dark night has been eclipsed, gloomy death has been hidden, and life has been revealed to all, overflowing with unending light. The Eternal Dawn reigns supreme, and the immortal Christ shines brighter than the sun. Believers now experience the eternal day of light—the Passover, symbolically realized during the age of the law, a celebration of divine perfection and potency that elicits awe. Indeed, it is a feast and an everlasting remembrance! From suffering comes unadulterated joy, from death springs forth immortality, from mortality arises life, from defeat comes healing, and from descent, ascension! Such is how God performs mighty works! Out of the impossible, He brings forth the unexpected, to demonstrate that all things are possible for Him!
Let the law evoke these symbols, let the angel announce the great arrival of the King, let the truth be revealed through the events that saw the multitude of Egyptian firstborns perish while Israel was protected by the mysterious blood. Though these events were merely shadows of what was to come, we relish in the fulfillment of those symbols and the reality itself, firm and exact. There the lamb from the flock, here the Lamb from heaven; there the sign of blood, which temporarily averted danger, here the Word, a vessel brimming with divine blood and Spirit; there the sheep from the pasture, here the Shepherd Himself, ‘as a sheep was led... to the slaughter’ (Isaiah 53:7). Witness how those events foreshadowed complete salvation!
The symbols alone proved to be salvific. Let the heavens rejoice, as the divine Spirit proclaims God's glory; let the celestial angels and archangels celebrate; let all the heavenly beings exult in the presence of the supreme Leader of the heavenly host, who appears as our intercessor. Let the starry hosts rejoice, declaring Him who comes before the dawn; may the vast expanse of air and the sea, honored by sacred footsteps, and the earth purified in divine blood, also give praise! May every soul, reborn through the resurrection, exalt! This is Easter, a universal victory resulting from the fulfillment of the Father’s design, Christ’s mission, a divine manifestation upon the earth—an eternal celebration for the angels, a gift of life everlasting for the world, mortality swallowed by death, indestructible heavenly joy for humanity, a sacred observance, the anticipation of ancient and new mysteries, witnessed on earth as well as in heaven.
Let us share in this sacred feast, not in earthly sustenance but in heavenly delights, partaking in this spiritual Passover with deep desire, just as Jesus yearned to share the Passover with us. First, let us briefly recount what the law of the Passover entails and how it was observed, and the purpose behind its institution after the Exodus from Egypt. Then, we will elucidate the significance of the Passover, which transcends all others. The blood serves as the emblem of Christ’s mark upon us; it represents not mere truth but points to the ultimate reality. All who bear the sign of blood upon their souls, akin to the marks on the homes, will see their grievous penalties absolved. For when He sees the blood, ‘I will pass over you, and there shall be no destructive plague among you when I smite the land of Egypt.’ Thus, the blood symbolizes protection for homes and souls, for the soul is sanctified by the divine Spirit and faith in its sacred abode. This sign safeguards the faithful. This reflects the profound meaning of Easter for all humanity. The blood is a prefiguration, a sign of forthcoming truth, an embodiment of the true Spirit, a reflection of the great anointing. ‘And I will see the blood and pass over you.’ Indeed, O Jesus, You have sheltered us from great peril, extending Fatherly arms, hiding us beneath your protective wings, shedding Your divine blood upon the earth, and accomplishing the reconciliation sealed by Your humanity. You have averted the fierce wrath from us and restored the ancient peace.