The Passover is one of the most significant feasts in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Its origins and instructions are detailed in the Book of Exodus, where God commands Moses to institute the Passover as a perpetual ordinance for the people of Israel. The Passover holds profound theological and historical significance, both in the Old Testament and in its foreshadowing of New Testament events.

Old Testament Significance

The Passover is first instituted in Exodus 12, where God instructs the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and to mark their doorposts with its blood. This act was to protect them from the final plague—the death of the firstborn—which God would bring upon Egypt. Exodus 12:13 states, "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt."

The Passover is a powerful symbol of God's deliverance and faithfulness. It marks the beginning of the Israelites' journey from bondage to freedom, serving as a reminder of God's covenant with His people. The feast is to be observed annually, as a lasting ordinance, to teach future generations about God's mighty acts of salvation. Exodus 12:24-27 emphasizes this, "And you are to keep this command as a permanent statute for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as He promised, you are to keep this service. When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’"

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the Passover takes on additional significance as it foreshadows the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The Gospel of John explicitly connects Jesus to the Passover lamb, stating in John 1:29 , "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'"

The Last Supper, which Jesus shares with His disciples, is a Passover meal. During this meal, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, transforming the Passover into a new covenant. In Luke 22:19-20 , Jesus says, "And He took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.'"

The Apostle Paul further elucidates this connection in 1 Corinthians 5:7 , "Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." Here, Paul underscores the idea that Christ's sacrifice fulfills the Passover, offering redemption and deliverance from sin.

Theological Implications

The Passover is rich with theological implications, symbolizing redemption, sacrifice, and covenant. It serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and the cost of freedom. The blood of the lamb, which protected the Israelites, prefigures the blood of Christ, which redeems believers from sin and death. The Passover also emphasizes the importance of remembrance and teaching future generations about God's mighty works.

In Christian theology, the Passover is seen as a type, or foreshadowing, of Christ's atoning work. The themes of liberation, sacrifice, and divine protection resonate throughout Scripture, culminating in the ultimate deliverance offered through Jesus Christ. The Passover thus remains a central motif in understanding God's redemptive plan for humanity.