Slices
Prepare
An experience of exclusion from a group you want to belong to can be upsetting. Have you ever felt excluded from a group of people? For what reason? How did the situation resolve?
Bible passage
Passover restrictions
43 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘These are the regulations for the Passover meal:
‘No foreigner may eat it. 44 Any slave you have bought may eat it after you have circumcised him, 45 but a temporary resident or a hired worker may not eat it.
46 ‘It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones. 47 The whole community of Israel must celebrate it.
48 ‘A foreigner residing among you who wants to celebrate the Lord’s Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat it. 49 The same law applies both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you.’
50 All the Israelites did just what the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. 51 And on that very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.
Explore
God’s instructions to Moses and Aaron for how the Passover meal must happen don’t leave any wiggle room. In addition to eating it inside, it’s striking that the bones of the lamb must remain whole (v 46). Here is another example of something in the Old Testament pointing towards something in the New. Breaking the bones of a crucified criminal was common, as it hastened death. But this did not happen to Jesus, who had already finished the work of the cross and given up his spirit before the soldiers came to do it (see John 19:30–37).
The Passover was also to be inclusive of all who underwent circumcision. Any foreigner who was prepared to be circumcised could be included just like those ‘born in the land’ (v 48). As long as all the males in the family were circumcised, they counted as native. In Deuteronomy 10 and 30, Moses reminds the people that circumcision is not just a physical matter. It applies to everyone and concerns the heart. Paul takes this up in Romans 2:28,29: the work of the Spirit on and in our hearts is what matters.
Respond
From a human perspective, inclusion seems to be about being accepted for who we are. From God’s perspective, inclusion – for anyone – is about Jesus (John 14:6).
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 13,14; John 6
Pray for Scripture Union
Ask God to bless our young leaders as they return to their daily lives so that they will feel inspired and equipped to boldly and confidently share the love of Jesus where they are. (This week's prayers relate to this article.)
