Exodus 12-13: Passover

“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. - Ex. 12: 12-13 NIV

I am not often aware of this power of blood to become a barrier to God's judgement.  There are too many other things I worry about.  I spend too much time under the false assumption that salvation is in part due to my actions:  Singing the right worship songs, witnessing to the right number of people, being faithful in my devotions and tithes and offerings.  But these are only symbols of my love, there is no saving grace in them.

A blood sacrifice has always been God's way.  Beginning with the Israelites when the blood sprinkled on the doorstep with hyssop protected them from the destruction that came upon the Egyptians, on down to to the blood shed by God's son on the cross which protects us from destruction as well.  A little known hymn writer of the 19th century captured this concept in a way few of our current worship songs do
.
Christ our Redeemer died on the cross,
Died for the sinner, paid all his due;
Sprinkle your soul with the blood of the Lamb,
And I will pass, will pass over you.

Refrain:
When I see the blood,
When I see the blood,
When I see the blood,
I will pass, I will pass over you.

O great compassion! O boundless love!
O loving kindness, faithful and true!
Find peace and shelter, under the blood,
And I will pass, will pass over you. - John G. Foote

God passes over us.  When the lives of all those who have ever lived pass before him, his judgemental glance will pass over all of those with the sign of the blood.  He will not see our sin.  He will only the sacrifice of his Son.