Passover

The Passover is one of the most significant feasts in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The origins of the Passover are found in the Book of Exodus, where God commands Moses to institute the feast as a perpetual memorial of the night when the Lord "passed over" the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague, sparing their firstborn while striking down the firstborn of Egypt (Exodus 12:12-13).

The Passover is observed on the 14th day of the first month, Nisan, in the Hebrew calendar. The central ritual of the Passover is the Seder meal, which includes the eating of a lamb without blemish, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. The lamb symbolizes the sacrifice, the unleavened bread represents the haste of the Israelites' departure, and the bitter herbs signify the bitterness of slavery (Exodus 12:8-11).

The Passover lamb is a type of Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The Apostle Paul explicitly connects Christ with the Passover, stating, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). This typology is further emphasized in the New Testament accounts of the Last Supper, which was a Passover meal, where Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, signifying the new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:14-20).

Feast of Unleavened Bread

The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately follows the Passover and lasts for seven days, from the 15th to the 21st of Nisan. During this time, the Israelites are commanded to eat unleavened bread and to remove all leaven from their homes (Exodus 12:15-20). The unleavened bread, or matzah, is a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, not having time to let their dough rise.

Leaven, in the biblical context, often symbolizes sin and corruption. The removal of leaven during this feast is symbolic of the call to holiness and the purging of sin from the lives of believers. The Apostle Paul draws on this imagery when he exhorts the Corinthian church to "clean out the old leaven, so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are" (1 Corinthians 5:7).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a time of reflection and dedication, reminding the faithful of God's deliverance and the call to live a life set apart for Him. It is a period of spiritual renewal, emphasizing the importance of purity and obedience to God's commands.

Historical and Theological Significance

Historically, the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are foundational events in the history of Israel, marking the birth of the nation as God's chosen people. Theologically, these feasts point to the redemptive work of Christ, who delivers believers from the bondage of sin and death. The Passover lamb's blood, which protected the Israelites, prefigures the blood of Christ, which redeems and protects believers from eternal judgment.

The observance of these feasts is a testament to God's faithfulness and His covenant promises. They serve as a reminder of His mighty acts of salvation and His ongoing work in the lives of His people. Through the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, believers are called to remember, celebrate, and live in the light of God's redemptive grace.