Topical Bible: The Feast of the Passover: Remarkable Celebrations of On Leaving Egypt

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Feast of the Passover, also known simply as Passover, is one of the most significant and ancient festivals in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This event is foundational to Jewish identity and is also of profound importance in Christian theology, symbolizing redemption and foreshadowing the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Origins

The origins of Passover are detailed in the Book of Exodus. The Israelites, enslaved in Egypt, cried out to God for deliverance. God appointed Moses to lead His people out of bondage. The Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused to release the Israelites, prompting God to send a series of plagues upon Egypt. The final and most devastating plague was the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household.

To protect the Israelites, God commanded them to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and to mark their doorposts with its blood. This sign would cause the Lord to "pass over" their homes, sparing them from the plague. 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 plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."

Institution of the Feast

God instituted the Passover as a perpetual ordinance for the Israelites. They were to observe it annually on the 14th day of the first month, Nisan, as a lasting memorial of their deliverance. The feast involved the sacrifice of a lamb, the eating of unleavened bread, and the consumption of bitter herbs, symbolizing the haste of their departure and the bitterness of their bondage.

Exodus 12:14 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."

Remarkable Celebrations in Scripture

Throughout the Bible, Passover is celebrated with great significance. In the wilderness, the Israelites observed the Passover as a reminder of God's faithfulness (Numbers 9:1-5). During the reign of King Josiah, a notable Passover celebration took place as part of his religious reforms, emphasizing a return to the covenant with God (2 Kings 23:21-23).

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ's final Passover meal with His disciples, known as the Last Supper, holds profound theological importance. During this meal, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, identifying Himself as the true Passover Lamb. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 , Paul writes, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."

Symbolism and Christian Significance

For Christians, Passover is rich with symbolism, prefiguring the redemptive work of Christ. The unblemished lamb represents Jesus, the sinless Savior, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. The deliverance from Egypt is seen as a foreshadowing of the greater deliverance from sin and death through Christ's sacrifice.

The Apostle Peter emphasizes this connection in 1 Peter 1:18-19 : "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot."

Contemporary Observance

Today, Passover remains a central observance in Judaism, celebrated with a Seder meal that retells the account of the Exodus. For Christians, while the traditional Jewish observance is not typically practiced, the themes of redemption and deliverance are celebrated through the observance of the Lord's Supper, reflecting on Christ's sacrifice as the fulfillment of the Passover promise.