Moses told the Israelites that in time to come their children would ask them about the Passover: “What do you mean by this observance?” When that happened, they were to tell their children, “It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt, when he struck down the Egyptians but spared our houses” (Exodus 12:26-27).

Throughout the Old Testament we see generational thinking being expressed in this way. It is an acknowledgement that whatever the situation we happen to find ourselves in, it’s never just about those of us who happen to be here right now – and it’s certainly not just about me. Instead, it’s also about people long ago, and it’s also about children who have not yet been born, just as much as anyone else. Years from now – generations from now – “you will observe this rite as a perpetual ordinance for you and your children” (12:24).

And when you do this, many generations from now, you will be telling your children about how Yahweh spared “our” houses. In one sense, that’s a pretty odd way to talk: those might have been our great-great-great … grandparents’ houses, but we ourselves weren’t there in Egypt at the time of the Passover, we wouldn’t even be born till many generations later. We need to let ourselves feel the oddness of talking as if those were “our” houses that were spared.

And at the same time, we need to let ourselves feel the rightness of that word “our,” as it captures the reality quite clearly: we are all part of this great extended family of the children of God, unlimited by time or place. At the Passover God spared the houses of our people. It was our family, the text insists: it happened to “us.” We were slaves in Egypt, and then God worked this miracle to set us free. Though we today would not be born for more than thirty centuries, we were nevertheless part of that experience. This is the story of how God freed us from our bondage.

* * * * *

Old and young, near and far, we are all part of this great family, O Lord. We are so grateful that, despite all our shortcomings, you passed over our sins and claimed us for your own. Help us teach our children, from generation to generation, of your astonishing mercy and grace.