The Passover is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. It is both a historical event and a religious observance, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and holding significant theological implications for Christians.

Biblical Foundation

The institution of the Passover is detailed in the Book of Exodus. God commands Moses and Aaron to instruct the Israelites on the observance of this event as a perpetual ordinance. The Passover marks the final plague that God inflicts upon Egypt, the death of the firstborn, which leads to the liberation of the Israelites. The instructions for the Passover are found in Exodus 12:1-14:

>"This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month, each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household... You are to keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight. They are to take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where they eat the lambs." (Exodus 12:2-3, 6-7)

The blood of the lamb serves as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from the plague. This act of divine deliverance is to be remembered annually through the Passover feast.

Ritual Observance

The Passover is observed with a meal known as the Seder, which includes specific foods and rituals that symbolize various aspects of the Exodus account. The lamb, unleavened bread (matzah), and bitter herbs are central elements of the meal, each carrying symbolic meaning. The unleavened bread signifies the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, having no time to let their bread rise. The bitter herbs represent the bitterness of slavery.

Passover in the New Testament

The Passover holds significant typological importance in the New Testament, where it is seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrificial death. Jesus is often referred to as the "Lamb of God," drawing a parallel between the Passover lamb and His atoning sacrifice. The Last Supper, which Jesus shares with His disciples, is a Passover meal, during which He institutes the Lord's Supper. In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul writes:

>"Get rid of the old leaven, so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." (1 Corinthians 5:7)

This connection underscores the belief that Jesus' death and resurrection fulfill the redemptive themes of the Passover.

Historical and Theological Significance

The observance of the Passover is a testament to God's faithfulness and power to save. It serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, emphasizing themes of redemption, deliverance, and divine protection. For Christians, the Passover is not only a historical event but also a profound symbol of Christ's redemptive work, bridging the Old and New Testaments in a unified narrative of salvation.