realities which nothing can shake. Sorrow cannot quench it. "Sorrowful, yet always

rejoicing" is one of the paradoxes of the Christian life (II Cor. 6: 10).

The story of the Passover teaches the great truth that salvation is God's work

altogether. A sinner cannot save himself or anyone else. God alone can be the Saviour

of sinners. Passover also teaches that a sinner can only be saved as he is and where he is

in his guilt and ruin. If a sinner could not be saved in his sins, salvation would be

impossible. God alone can take him out of the horrible pit and out of the miry clay and

set his feet upon a rock and establish his goings, and put a new song in his mouth

Not only was Israel delivered from the slavery of Egypt, but also from its doom.

Redemption by blood was followed by redemption by power. They were brought out by

"a strong hand and a mighty arm" which symbolized the almighty power of God, and

their deliverance was not complete until they stood on the wilderness side of the sea and

saw all their enemies dead upon the shore. The slavery was then at an end. Their praise

was full and heart-felt. "I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the

horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea" (Exod. 15: 1).

But all this does not exhaust the fullness of redemption. Christ not only saves us from

the penalty of sin which is bondage and death, but His salvation puts us in the position in

which we can approach a thrice holy God. Forgiveness of sins could give neither title nor

fitness to draw near to Him. Redemption is more than forgiveness. As we shall see, the

Lord Jesus Christ, through the offering of Himself, satisfies the sinner's need in all its

variety and depth.