About fifteen years ago, friends invited our family to share their Passover Seder. Since they knew all about our faith in Jesus they graciously encouraged us to talk to our children during the ceremonial meal about the Christian significance of each element.
I will never forget the experience. We were so honored to be included in this special occasion, but more than that we were overwhelmed by how completely and thoroughly everything pointed to Christ and the salvation He offers.
God established Passover with the nation of Israel at the end of their Egyptian slavery. It was to be a lasting observance to remind them of His dramatic deliverance (Exodus 12:14). Pharaoh had hardened his heart through the first nine plagues God brought on Egypt. The tenth plague would be the last, but God had to provide a way to protect His own people.
Through Moses, God instructed each household to kill, roast, and eat an unblemished lamb. They were to smear some of the lamb’s blood on the doorposts of their home. The blood would be a sign to God as He brought the death plague to all the firstborn males in the land. God would see the blood and “not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you” (Exodus 12:23).
Passover stands as a permanent reminder to Israel of God’s salvation. The blood of the lamb without spot or blemish covered them and protected them from death. There would have been no salvation without the blood. There would have been no blood without the death of the lamb.
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is our Passover lamb.
- John the Baptist proclaimed it. “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
- Jesus’ trial and crucifixion corresponded with the “Day of Preparation” and the slaughtering of the Passover lamb in the temple (John 19:14, 31,42).
- Jesus Christ, our spotless Lamb (1 Peter 1:19) was sacrificed for our salvation (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Only the blood of the spotless Lamb of God can take away our sin and provide eternal life. No death, no blood. No blood, no salvation.
If you’d like to find out more about a traditional Jewish Passover check out these links:
If you’re interested in celebrating a Christian Seder, check out these resources:
Introduction to a Christian Seder
The Christian Seder Haggadah (the telling)
The Passover was established as a permanent reminder of God’s salvation. What ways do you purposefully work to remember the salvation provided by your Passover Lamb?
Thank you so much for this Kathy. I’ve never had this privilege of celebrating a Seder, but I would love to. What amazing images of our precious Lamb, Jesus.
I have had the privilege of participating in a Seder led by a Messianic Jew. Like you, I was blown away by how every element pointed to Christ and God’s plan of redemption. For me the phrase “Lamb of God” took on a much deeper meaning after having attended a Seder. This was a great reminder as we start thinking of the Christmas season and the birth of The Lamb.
Natalie and Julie, we felt so blessed to be a part of a Jewish Seder. Would to use the resources I listed to have our own Christian one some day!