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was `made sin for us', it immediately adds "Who knew no sin" (II Cor. 5: 21). If it is
emphasized that Christ as Kinsman-Redeemer actually took our human nature it is careful
to say that while He actually was made flesh, it was in the likeness of sinful flesh that He
came (Rom. 8: 3). Before Peter says, "Who His Own self bare our sins", he writes of
Him "Who did no sin" (I Pet. 2: 22-24) and in the same epistle Peter speaks of
redemption as being by "the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot" (1: 18, 19).
If Heb. 4: declares that Christ was touched with the feeling of our infirmities and
in all points had been tempted like as we are, it does not omit to add "sin excepted"
(Gk. choris Heb. 4: 15).
There is need that every believer should not hold with no shadow of uncertainty that
Christ was "holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners". "It shall be PERFECT
to be accepted." Such is the Lamb of God, such is our Saviour.
"And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I
see the blood, I will pass over you" (Exod. 12: 13).
The word `token' will repay a little study. It first occurs in Gen. 1: 14 "Let them be
for signs". Gen. 4: 15 A.V. reads "The Lord set a mark upon Cain"; it should read
"The Lord set a token for Cain, lest any finding him should kill him". It was a token for
Cain's safety. The bow in the cloud is called `the token of the covenant' (Gen. 9: 12) as
also is circumcision (Gen. 17: 11).
Many times the word translated `sign' in Exodus is this word, and indeed this is its
most frequent translation. "The blood shall be to you for a sign." The blood signified
something. It signified life laid down:
"The soul (life) of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to
make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement by reason
of the life" (Lev. 17: 11 R.V.).
The blood atoned for `YOUR SOUL' (LIFE), "BY REASON OF THE LIFE" in it.
The blood posted upon the doorpost was a "sign" that redemption had been made.
Nothing else was a `sign', nothing else did the Lord `see'. No genealogy showing direct
descent from Abraham could be a `sign', no promises, vows, prayers, nothing but the
sprinkled blood.
The words "I will pass over you" must also be considered. As they stand, they give
the mind the impression that the Lord `passed over' the houses of Israel without smiting
them, and went on to the houses of the Egyptians. In verse 23 however this idea does not
seem fully to fit the statement there made:
"The Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto
your houses to smite you."