What is a lintel and how do you get under it?

A lintel is the top part of a door frame.


When God called the Israelites out of slavery in ancient Egypt, the final and most terrible plague visited on the Egyptians was the death of all the firstborn.  God instructed His people beforehand to slaughter a lamb and paint its blood on their doorposts and lintels.  Every door frame covered in the blood was spared this tragedy.


This dramatic event pointed forward to the true Lamb of God who would come many years later.  Jesus shed His blood on the cross to protect all who would take refuge under His sacrifice.


The day of God's judgment will come on us as surely as it visited the Egyptians.  Life and safety was granted to those Israelites residing under a bloodstained lintel.  Our only hope when judgement comes is to rely on Jesus' blood to cover us as the blood of the Passover lamb covered the doors of the ancient believers.


"When He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you." Exodus 12:23


"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29


"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:31