1 Peter 1: 18-19:
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
As Christians, we hold to many holiday traditions throughout the year, in particular Christmas and Easter, which include church services, celebrations with family, and special meals. It wasn’t until we became devoted followers of Christ that we realized the significance of the Jewish celebration of Passover. Often it falls nearer to our Easter holiday, but this year, the eight-day celebration begins tomorrow at sundown. The Bible reminds us of this annual tradition and celebration, referring to it in three specific instances:
Firstly, the tradition of Passover celebrates the deliverance for the Hebrews that God accomplished through the exodus from Egypt. In Genesis and Exodus, we learn that the Israelites suffered from oppression and slavery for over 400 years until Moses was called by God to advocate for their freedom. Moses warned Pharaoh of plagues that would come to ravage Egypt and, time after time, Pharaoh refused. His heart was so hard that he resisted every plague that God sent. And then the 10th plaque was sent, the death of the firstborn children, which included first-born adults and even grandparents, even the firstborn of the cattle. It was horribly tragic but necessary. But, God had a plan for the Israelites and instructed each household to select a perfect, spotless lamb, slaughter it, and spread the blood of the lamb over their doorposts and lintels, then roast the lamb to eat along with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. As the plague fatally struck its targeted victims, all the Israelites’ firstborns were protected by the mark of the lamb’s blood. Brought low by the loss of his own first-born son, Pharoah finally released them from captivity. God wanted them to be reminded of that night, so He called them to celebrate Passover annually.
Secondly, in the book of Luke in the New Testament, we read that the tradition of Passover was important to Jesus as He was brought up in an observant family that traveled to Jerusalem every year for Passover.
And thirdly, we are familiar with the Passover celebration that Jesus’ observed with His disciples—the Last Supper—the night before His crucifixion. Over a thousand years had passed since that first Passover in Egypt, but the same traditional meal of roasted lamb, bitter herbs and unleavened bread was served at Jesus’ table.
Why is Passover significant to us as Christians? We must remember that the shed blood of the perfect, spotless Lamb brought the Israelites freedom from death and bondage at the hands of the Pharoah. But, it was also a foreshadowing of the One who would come, Jesus Christ, the perfect, spotless Passover Lamb, who would shed His blood to release us from the bondage of sin and death. Alleluia!
Dear Heavenly Father, how thankful we are for Your plan to send the perfect, spotless, Passover Lamb to die for us. May we rejoice in the freedom that we, Your children, are privileged to possess because You sent Your Son to be our advocate, the perfect sacrifice. In the name of the Passover Lamb, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
~ painting by Armand Serrano
