He Makes A Way For Us To Pass Through Death

He Makes a Way for Us to Pass through Death

Guided by the pillar of cloud away from Egypt, the Israelites found themselves in a very vulnerable position—trapped between the impassable sea to the east, the mountains to the south and west, and Pharaoh’s armies to the north.

Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” . . .

Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! (Exodus 14:13-14, 21-22)

God had shown himself as Redeemer when his people were purchased out of Egypt by the blood of the Passover lamb. Now God showed himself as Savior as he demonstrated his power, ushering his people through the clutches of death.

In opening up the Red Sea to make a way through death for his people, God was showing how he would miraculously make a way through death for all those who come to him by faith through his Son, Jesus. Just as God destroyed the power of Pharaoh over the Israelites at the Red Sea, so the resurrection of Jesus broke the power of Satan over his people. And just as the sea the people feared became the means of their deliverance from the Egyptians, so the physical death we fear becomes the means of our deliverance into the Promised Land of God’s presence. We need not fear physical death. Our Deliverer has raised his rod, and we can pass through on dry ground, unscathed. He is with us, getting us safely to the other side.

But we pass through on dry ground only because the waves of death flooded in on Christ at the Cross. The deep waters of death covered him, yet he emerged alive. In so doing, he made a way for us to pass through death.

When I come to my own Red Sea of death, may I look back and remember your sure and safe deliverance. May I look forward to the Promised Land of your presence, confident that you will bring me safely to the other side.