The Passover, known in Hebrew as "Pesach," is one of the most significant feasts in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This event is detailed in the Book of Exodus and is foundational to understanding God's covenantal relationship with His people. The Passover is not only a historical event but also a lasting ordinance, as commanded by God, with profound theological implications.

Biblical Foundation

The institution of the Passover is recorded in Exodus 12. God commands Moses and Aaron to instruct the Israelites to select a lamb without blemish, sacrifice it, and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintels of their homes. This act would protect them from the plague of the firstborn, which God would bring upon Egypt. The Lord 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" (Exodus 12:13).

A Lasting Ordinance

The Passover is established as a perpetual observance for the Israelites. In Exodus 12:14, God commands, "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" . This directive underscores the enduring nature of the Passover, intended to be observed annually as a reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness.

Ritual Observance

The Passover celebration involves specific rituals, including the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasts seven days. During this time, the Israelites are to remove all leaven from their homes and eat unleavened bread, symbolizing the haste with which they left Egypt. Exodus 12:17 states, "So you are to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you are to observe this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come" .

Theological Significance

The Passover is rich in theological meaning, symbolizing redemption, deliverance, and the establishment of a covenant relationship between God and His people. The sacrificial lamb prefigures 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).

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, 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 His blood. Luke 22:19-20 records, "And He took the bread, gave thanks, 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'" .

Continued Observance

While the Passover is a Jewish festival, its themes of redemption and deliverance resonate deeply within the Christian faith. Many Christians see the Passover as a foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work on the cross. The observance of the Lord's Supper in Christian tradition serves as a continual reminder of the sacrifice of Christ, paralleling the lasting ordinance of the Passover in Jewish tradition.