The Passover is a foundational ordinance in the biblical narrative, commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is a pivotal event in the history of Israel and holds significant theological and liturgical importance within the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Biblical Foundation

The institution of the Passover is recorded in the Book of Exodus. The Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to establish this ordinance as a perpetual memorial for the Israelites. The Passover is first detailed in Exodus 12, where God instructs the Israelites to select a lamb without blemish, sacrifice it, and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintels of their homes. This act served as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" the houses of the Israelites during the final plague—the death of the firstborn in Egypt.

Exodus 12:14 states, "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 perpetual statute for the generations to come."

Elements of the Passover

1. The Lamb: The lamb was to be a male, one year old, without blemish, symbolizing purity and innocence. It was to be slaughtered at twilight on the 14th day of the first month (Nisan).

2. The Blood: The blood of the lamb was to be applied to the doorposts and lintels, serving as a sign of protection. Exodus 12:13 declares, "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."

3. The Meal: The lamb was to be roasted and eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The unleavened bread, made without yeast, symbolized the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, while the bitter herbs represented the bitterness of their slavery.

4. The Feast of Unleavened Bread: Following the Passover, the Israelites were commanded to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days, during which no leaven was to be found in their homes. This feast further commemorated their swift exodus from Egypt.

Theological Significance

The Passover is rich in theological symbolism, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Christ is identified as the Passover Lamb. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:7 , "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." The blood of Christ, like the blood of the Passover lamb, provides protection and deliverance from the bondage of sin.

Observance and Legacy

The Passover was to be observed annually by the Israelites as a lasting ordinance. It served as a time of remembrance and teaching, ensuring that future generations understood the mighty acts of God in delivering His people. Exodus 12:26-27 instructs, "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.’"

Throughout the Old Testament, the Passover is observed by the Israelites, with notable celebrations during the reigns of kings such as Hezekiah and Josiah, who sought to restore proper worship and adherence to the Law.

In the New Testament, the Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples, is understood to be a Passover meal. During this meal, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, establishing a new covenant in His blood, thus linking the Passover with the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ.

The Passover remains a significant observance in Jewish tradition and continues to be a profound symbol of redemption and deliverance in Christian theology.