This 2024, Passover begins at sundown on Monday, April 22nd, and extends until the evening of Tuesday, April 30th.
Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, a pivotal moment in their history when an angel passed over the homes of the Israelites, sparing their firstborns from the final plague.
Beyond its historical significance lies a profound spiritual truth, one that points directly to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
What lessons can we learn from the Passover in relation to Jesus Christ?
First, the unblemished lamb is Jesus Christ.
In the original Passover account, the Israelites were instructed to select an unblemished lamb, slaughter it, and mark their doorposts with its blood. This act served as a symbol of protection, as the Angel of Death would “pass over” the homes marked with the blood of the lamb (Exodus 12:5-7, 12-13).
Similarly, Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Just as the blood of the Passover lamb shielded the Israelites from death, so too does the blood of Christ cover and protect us from the penalty of sin (John 1:29, 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Second, we are redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ.
The Passover lamb was not merely slain for the sake of ritual, but as an act of redemption. It was through the blood of the lamb that the Israelites were set free from bondage and began their journey to the Promised Land.
Likewise, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross serves as the ultimate redemption for humanity. Through His death and resurrection, we are liberated from the enslavement of sin and granted access to the abundant life that God promises (1 Corinthians 5:7, Ephesians 1:7).
Third, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus during the Communion.
In Jewish tradition, the Passover meal, or Seder, is a time of remembrance and celebration. Each element of the meal carries symbolic significance, reminding participants of God’s faithfulness and deliverance.
Similarly, Jesus instituted the Last Supper during Passover, instructing His disciples to partake of bread and wine, symbolizing His body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 22:19-20).
As we partake in communion, we not only remember Christ’s sacrifice but also anticipate His glorious return, when we will feast with Him in the kingdom of heaven (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
The story of Passover transcends mere historical remembrance; it foreshadows the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites were saved from death and bondage through the blood of the lamb, so too are we saved from sin and death through the precious blood of our Savior. | NWI
