A Personal Note from Pastor's Pen - Jesus our Passover
This whole past week starting on Monday Jewish families all over the world have been celebrating Pesach (Passover). Passover has been celebrated the same way, by the same group, and commemorates a single event. Jews have been doing this for more then 3,000 years and that alone is almost incredible. This ancient ritual serves as a poignant reminder of God’s redemption of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. But beyond its historical significance, Passover holds deep theological and spiritual meaning for believers in the Messiah Jesus Christ.
The Passover Seder, a ceremonial meal, is centered around retelling the Exodus story in an interactive manner. It’s not just a recounting of events but an immersive experience meant to engage participants in the narrative of liberation. For believers, Passover transcends mere tradition; it serves as a vivid illustration of the gospel message and the ultimate redemption offered through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The parallels between Old Testament types and New Testament fulfillment are striking, underscoring the continuity of God’s redemptive plan throughout history that’s revealed to us in the Word of God. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, emphasizes the significance of these rituals, asserting that they not only serve to commemorate a historical event, but they also foreshadow the substance which is to be found in Christ. (Col 2:16-17)
These Passover themes of slavery and redemption are continued throughout the Bible. Therefore, being in Egypt is described as being in the house of slavery (Exodus 20:2), and in the New Testament an unbeliever is described as being in slavery to sin (Romans 6:20). When God described the events of the Exodus from Egypt, He says that they’ve been redeemed from Egypt (Deuteronomy 7:8). Similarly, when salvation is spoken of in the New Testament, it’s done with the same Passover language of redemption. The Apostle Peter writes: “forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” I Peter 1:18-19
It’s hard to miss the Passover parallels laid out in these verses. Just as the Israelites were redeemed from slavery in Egypt through the blood of the Passover lamb, believers too are redeemed from sin and bondage through the precious blood of Jesus. Paul makes it even more explicit when he says, “Christ our Passover is sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
The Passover serves as a profound reminder of God’s faithfulness throughout history and His enduring promise of redemption. It points believers to the ultimate Passover Lamb, Yeshua, whose sacrifice brings freedom from sin and eternal life.
As we contemplate the significance of Passover and communion, we anticipate that day in the age to come when we join with the redeemed of all ages in proclaiming: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Revelation 5:12.
I’m excited to get to participate in our first Passover Meal together!
חג פסח שמח / Hag Pesach Sameach / Happy Passover
The Passover Seder, a ceremonial meal, is centered around retelling the Exodus story in an interactive manner. It’s not just a recounting of events but an immersive experience meant to engage participants in the narrative of liberation. For believers, Passover transcends mere tradition; it serves as a vivid illustration of the gospel message and the ultimate redemption offered through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The parallels between Old Testament types and New Testament fulfillment are striking, underscoring the continuity of God’s redemptive plan throughout history that’s revealed to us in the Word of God. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, emphasizes the significance of these rituals, asserting that they not only serve to commemorate a historical event, but they also foreshadow the substance which is to be found in Christ. (Col 2:16-17)
These Passover themes of slavery and redemption are continued throughout the Bible. Therefore, being in Egypt is described as being in the house of slavery (Exodus 20:2), and in the New Testament an unbeliever is described as being in slavery to sin (Romans 6:20). When God described the events of the Exodus from Egypt, He says that they’ve been redeemed from Egypt (Deuteronomy 7:8). Similarly, when salvation is spoken of in the New Testament, it’s done with the same Passover language of redemption. The Apostle Peter writes: “forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” I Peter 1:18-19
It’s hard to miss the Passover parallels laid out in these verses. Just as the Israelites were redeemed from slavery in Egypt through the blood of the Passover lamb, believers too are redeemed from sin and bondage through the precious blood of Jesus. Paul makes it even more explicit when he says, “Christ our Passover is sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
The Passover serves as a profound reminder of God’s faithfulness throughout history and His enduring promise of redemption. It points believers to the ultimate Passover Lamb, Yeshua, whose sacrifice brings freedom from sin and eternal life.
As we contemplate the significance of Passover and communion, we anticipate that day in the age to come when we join with the redeemed of all ages in proclaiming: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Revelation 5:12.
I’m excited to get to participate in our first Passover Meal together!
חג פסח שמח / Hag Pesach Sameach / Happy Passover
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