The Institution of the Passover is a pivotal event in the history of Israel, marking the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, primarily in chapters 12 and 13, and it serves as both a historical and theological cornerstone for the Jewish faith, with significant implications for Christian theology as well.

Biblical Account

The Passover was instituted by God through Moses as the tenth and final plague was about to be unleashed upon Egypt. The Lord instructed Moses and Aaron regarding the specific preparations the Israelites were to make. Each household was to select a lamb without blemish, a male a year old, on the tenth day of the first month, and keep it until the fourteenth day. On that evening, the lamb was to be slaughtered, and its blood applied to the doorposts and lintel of each house. The Lord declared, "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt" (Exodus 12:13).

The Israelites were to eat the lamb roasted with fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, in haste, with their loins girded, sandals on their feet, and staff in hand. This meal was to be eaten in readiness for the imminent exodus from Egypt. The Lord commanded, "This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover" (Exodus 12:11).

Significance and Observance

The Passover was established as a perpetual ordinance for the Israelites. It was to be observed annually as a memorial of their deliverance from bondage. The Lord instructed, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD. You are to celebrate it as a permanent statute for the generations to come" (Exodus 12:14). The feast was to last seven days, during which no leaven was to be found in their homes, symbolizing the haste of their departure and the purity required by God.

The Passover also served as a teaching tool for future generations. When children would inquire about the meaning of the observance, parents were to explain, "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" (Exodus 12:27).

Theological Implications

The Passover holds profound theological significance, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The Apostle Paul draws a direct connection between Christ and the Passover, stating, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). The blood of the Passover lamb, which protected the Israelites from the destroyer, foreshadows the atoning blood of Christ, which delivers believers from the bondage of sin and death.

Cultural and Liturgical Impact

The Passover has had a lasting impact on Jewish culture and religious practice. It is one of the most significant Jewish festivals, celebrated with a Seder meal that includes symbolic foods and the retelling of the Exodus account. The Passover also influences Christian liturgy, particularly in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, which Jesus instituted during a Passover meal with His disciples, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels.

In summary, the Institution of the Passover is a foundational event that underscores God's redemptive power and faithfulness to His covenant people, serving as a type and shadow of the greater redemption to come through Jesus Christ.