Exodus Story and Jesus: Deliverance & Covenant

• The Exodus story is a foundational narrative in the Hebrew Bible, recounting the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt under Moses' leadership.
• It is not only a tale of physical liberation but also a spiritual journey towards establishing a covenantal relationship with God, marked by giving the Law at Mount Sinai.
• Early Christians used the Exodus story as a tapestry of themes and symbols to understand and present Jesus' life and mission as the Law's fulfillment.

Theme of Deliverance

• The Exodus story is centered on deliverance.
• Just as Moses led the Israelites, Christians view Jesus as a new Moses, leading humanity out of sin.
• Jesus is often depicted as a liberator in the New Testament.
• In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount echoes Moses receiving the Law, suggesting Jesus provides a new interpretation and fulfillment of the Law.

Concept of Covenant

• Covenant is crucial in both the Exodus story and Jesus' life.
• The Israelites' journey to the Promised Land was marked by establishing a covenant with God, symbolized by the Ten Commandments.
• Christians believe Jesus established a new covenant through death and resurrection, fulfilling the old covenant and offering salvation to all people, not just Israelites.
• The Last Supper, where Jesus speaks of the "new covenant in my blood," is a direct reference.

Passover Significance

• Passover is a key event where Israelites were spared from the final plague through sacrificing a lamb.
• It is commemorated annually in the Jewish tradition as a reminder of God's deliverance.
• Christians see a connection between the Passover lamb and Jesus, referring to him as the "Lamb of God."
• The timing of Jesus' crucifixion during Passover reinforces this link, suggesting it is the ultimate act of deliverance, like the original Passover.

Wilderness Journey

• The wilderness echoed in Jesus' life: after baptism, He spent 40 days in the desert, paralleling the Israelites' 40 years.
• This is of temptation and preparation as a microcosm of Jesus' mission to guide humanity through spiritual trials towards salvation.

Law and Fulfillment Theme

• This theme is central to understanding Jesus' mission.
• In Exodus, the Law given to Moses was a guide for living according to God's will.
• Jesus emphasized the spirit of the Law, challenging rigid interpretations and advocating for a deeper, more compassionate understanding.
• Christians view Jesus as fulfilling the Law by embodying its true intent and purpose.
• The Exodus story provided early Christians with a framework to interpret and present Jesus' life and mission, drawing parallels between Moses and Jesus, the Passover and the crucifixion, and the old and new covenants.
• This understanding offered a universal message of liberation, covenant, and spiritual renewal, connecting Jesus to the Hebrew Bible's traditions.
• The Exodus story is a lens through which Christians view the significance of Jesus' life and mission.