The exiles observed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. All of the priests and Levites were ceremonially clean, because they had purified themselves. They killed the Passover lamb for themselves, their priestly brothers, and all the exiles. Ezra 6:19-20 HCSB
I have had the privilege of participating in a Passover meal. The Jewish people still celebrate the Passover each year. Passover means “to spare”. The Passover commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The last plague that God brought upon the Egyptians was the death of every first born son of humans and the animals. The Israelites were instructed to kill a lamb and place the blood over the door and on the sides of the door. When the “death angel” came and saw the blood, he “passed over” the house and did not bring death to that household. The Passover is a special meal that the family celebrates each year to remember the slavery in Egypt and how God provided a way for them to escape and go to the Promised Land.
Paul referred to Christ as “our Passover who has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7 and 1 Peter 1:19). John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29). Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood so our sins might be forgiven and we can be released from the slavery of sin. As believers, through Christ’s blood we have power over death and will someday defeat death and live eternally with God in heaven.
Challenge: Praise God for the wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly died on the cross so we might have forgiveness of our sins and receive eternal life. Thank Him for being your Passover lamb and dying in your place. Listen to the song, “Bold the Lamb” on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAyHhFjx4PM