The Feast of the Passover, also known as Pesach, is one of the most significant and ancient festivals in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This event is detailed in the Book of Exodus, where God commands the Israelites to observe the Passover as a perpetual ordinance (Exodus 12:14). The Passover is intrinsically linked to the concept of redemption and divine deliverance, themes that resonate deeply within the Christian tradition as well.

Biblical Foundation and Observance

The Passover begins on the 14th day of the first month, Nisan, in the Hebrew calendar. The festival lasts for seven days, during which unleavened bread is eaten, symbolizing the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, not having time to let their bread rise (Exodus 12:15-20). The central ritual of the Passover is the Seder meal, which includes the retelling of the Exodus account, the eating of symbolic foods, and the singing of hymns.

The Sabbath In, a High Day

The term "High Day" refers to a special Sabbath that occurs during the Passover week. In the Gospel of John, it is noted that the day following Jesus' crucifixion was a "high Sabbath" (John 19:31). This indicates that the Sabbath coincided with the Passover, elevating its significance. The High Sabbath is distinct from the regular weekly Sabbath, as it is a day of rest and worship that is part of the festival's observance.

The High Day Sabbath underscores the sanctity and solemnity of the Passover week. It is a day set apart for reflection on God's mighty acts of salvation and His covenant faithfulness. The observance of this day involves abstaining from regular work and engaging in worship and family gatherings, focusing on the spiritual and communal aspects of the festival.

Theological Significance

For Christians, the Passover holds profound theological significance as it prefigures the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The Apostle Paul draws a parallel between Christ and the Passover lamb, stating, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). This connection highlights the continuity between the Old and New Covenants, with Jesus' sacrifice fulfilling the typology of the Passover lamb, bringing about ultimate redemption from sin.

The High Day Sabbath during Passover also points to the rest and peace found in Christ. Just as the Israelites rested on the High Sabbath, Christians find spiritual rest in the finished work of Jesus, who provides eternal rest for His people (Hebrews 4:9-10).

Cultural and Historical Context

Historically, the Passover has been a time of pilgrimage, with Jews traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival at the Temple. This practice is evident in the Gospels, where Jesus and His disciples go to Jerusalem for the Passover (Luke 22:7-8). The communal aspect of the festival fosters a sense of unity and shared identity among the Jewish people, as they remember their collective history and God's deliverance.

In the Christian tradition, the Passover is often associated with the Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples. This meal, celebrated on the eve of His crucifixion, is seen as the institution of the Lord's Supper or Communion, a sacrament commemorating Jesus' sacrifice and the new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:19-20).

Conclusion

The Feast of the Passover, with its High Day Sabbath, remains a cornerstone of both Jewish and Christian faiths, rich in historical, cultural, and theological meaning. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's deliverance, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.John 19:31
The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) sought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

When Christ Ate the Passover.
... would be impossible if the real passover feast had begun ... the day of preparation of
the passover," language irreconcilable ... that the next day, the Sabbath, "was a ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/when christ ate the passover.htm

Fragment v. --That up to the Time of the Destruction of Jerusalem ...
... as the true Lamb in the Paschal feast, as John ... And it was the preparation of the
passover, and about the ... cross on the Sabbath-day (for that Sabbath-day was an ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/fragment v that up to the.htm

Letter v. --For 333. Easter-Day , Coss. Dalmatius and Zenophilus ...
... For to those who keep the feast in purity, the Passover is heavenly food; but to ...
[4069] 1 Corinthians 11:27. [4070] Cf. 2 Pet. i. 4. [4071] Syr. sabbath.'. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter v for 333 easter-day.htm

Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ...
... unleavened bread succeeds that of the passover, and falls ... must slay sacrifices, in
order to feast upon them. ... there they remained till another sabbath, and then ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the festivals.htm

The Two Sabbath-Controversies - the Plucking of the Ears of Corn ...
... on the idea that the Unknown Feast was the Passover, or even the Feast of Esther ...
an ordinary Israelite discharged priestly functions on the Sabbath in the ...
/.../chapter xxxv the two sabbath-controversies.htm

Friday --The Day of Suffering.
... Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto ... Now it was the Preparation
of the passover: it was about ... the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/fridaythe day of suffering.htm

The Fifth Day in Passion-Week - Make Ready the Passover!'
... Nisan), so as to avoid the Sabbath following on ... provision of all that was required
for the Feast. ... Levitical inspection, since on the Passover-day there would ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the fifth day.htm

Jesus at Bethesda.
... The passover was, of all Jewish festivals, that in which ... day, while Jesus was attending
the feast, he walked ... They could not understand how the Sabbath could be ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus at bethesda.htm

The First Day in Passion-Week - Palm-Sunday - the Royal Entry into ...
... Him to Jerusalem, from the guests at the Sabbath-feast in Bethany ... Advent of Christ,
the Sacrifice of the Passover with the joy of the Feast of Ingathering. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the first day.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... not during the winter for the Passover, nor yet ... Indeed, the whole symbolism of the
Feast, beginning with the ... views, that Jesus had on that Sabbath opened the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

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