Passover: A Celebration! (Part I)

It's that time of year again: Passover. (Although, some may also know this time of year, as Easter.) And for those of you wondering what the Passover really is, and what it represents, please allow me to share with you its meaning and implications from a fresh perspective; from a biblical standpoint. Now, I realize that some may acquaint this time of year with Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, and Easter egg hunts-especially children. And a little over a decade ago, I was one too. So, I understand the excitement, and the anticipation that revolves around it.

But the truth is, we've been getting excited about the wrong thing. Unfortunately, we've exchanged the truth, for lies and meaningless legends that try to cover up the true meaning of the Passover. You see, this time of year has absolutely nothing to do with Easter bunnies or Easter eggs, and everything to do with a celebration. A celebration of Freedom and Redemption; both freedom from slavery inflicted by man upon man-as we'll see in a moment-as well as, freedom from the slavery of sin, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We'll discuss each of these topics individually in a two-part series entitled: Passover: A Celebration" (Parts I & II).  

But in doing so, don't just take my word for it. Go to the Word of God with me, and see for yourself what the true meaning of the Passover is. So, let us begin shall we?

First, let's talk about from freedom from the slavery inflicted by man upon man. In the Old testament- in the book of Exodus you will find the story of the people of Israel; that is God's chosen people among the nations. The first 12 chapters describe a number of events. Among these are: the oppression and slavery suffered by the people of Israel for 400 years, in the hands of a cruel, and hardhearted Egyptian Pharaoh, God's promise of deliverance, God's provision of deliverance through His servant Moses, and lastly, God's passover; which celebrates God's deliverance of the Israelite people from the slavery and oppression of Egypt. God does so, by displaying His mighty power, and performing a number of signs and wonders through His servant Moses; including turning Moses' shaft into a serpent, turning the water of the Nile river into blood, and casting several plagues upon the land of Egypt. But even so, Pharaoh refuses to let God's people go. 

Finally, when God strikes the land of Egypt one last time by killing all of the first-born males in it-from the least to the greatest, including Pharaoh's son-Pharaoh let's them go. In fact, he orders them to leave. And they do. But soon after that, Pharaoh changes his mind and begins chasing after the people of Israel, and bring them back to Egypt. However, He and his charioteers die in such attempt.  

I realize that's a lot of information to digest, but I wanted to give you a little synopsis of how the deliverance of God's people came about. But now I want to focus on one particular aspect of that story. Yes, you've guessed it: The Passover. 

You see, before striking Egypt for the last time, (by killing all the first males in Egypt), and setting His people free once and for all, God spoke to Moses regarding  the Lord's Passover. It was to be their last meal in the land of Egypt. Each Family was instructed to prepare the passover meal two weeks prior to the Passover night. (The night of their departure). This meal consisted of a one-year old male lamb or goat with no defects, to be sacrificed on the 14th day,-at sunset-drained of its blood, and roasted in the fire. None of its bones were to be broken. And whatever was left over the next day, was to be burned in the fire. This meal was to be accompanied by bitter herbs and bread without yeast. The blood drained from the lamb, was to be used as a sign on the doorposts of God's people, to distinguish them from the people of Egypt, and spare them from the tragedy of losing their first-born sons when the Lord came along to carry out His will.

Please, let me leave you with the Scriptural version of the true story behind the Passover of the Lord, which can be seen in chapter 12 of the book of Exodus (New Living Translation of the Bible):

"While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the Lord gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: "From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice,  one animal for each household. If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood. Divide the animal according to the size of each family and how much they can eat. The animal you select must be a one-year old male, either sheep or goat, with no defects."  

(Exodus 12:1-5)

"Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb at twilight. They are to take some of its blood and smear it on the sides and the top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal. That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens [herbs] and bread made without yeast. Do not eat any of the meat raw or boiled in water. The whole animal-including its internal organs-must be roasted over the fire. Do no leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eaten before morning."  

(Exodus 12: 6-10)

"This are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the Lord's Passover. On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt." (Exodus 12: 11-13)

"This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord...." (Exodus 12: 14a)

"...Then your children will ask, 'What does this ceremony mean?' And you will reply, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for He passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though He struck the Egyptians, He spared our families." 

 (Exodus 12: 24-27a)

So you see, the Passover of the Lord is a celebration of God's mighty power to set His people free from the slavery and oppression of Egypt! (Hallelujah! Glory to God! Both now and Forever! Amen!) But there's more to it... And next time, we will be talking about how the Passover of the Lord relates to our delivery from another kind of slavery-that is, our slavery to sin. 

But until then, I urge you to ponder on the content of this blog post, and ask the Lord to help you understand the true meaning and significance of the Lord's Passover. This is my heart's prayer for you, to the Lord our God. It is in Jesus' name that I pray,

Amen & Amen!

May the Lord bless you!

Both now and always!

Amen!

All glory be to God!

From Everlasting to Everlasting!

Amen!