Jesus, Our Passover Part Ii: Once And For All, Series

Moving forward in time from the prior message in Genesis, we now land in Egypt during the time of Moses.

The nation of Israel had become bound in slavery to the Egyptian Pharaoh. Moses, who had been raised in the house of the king as one of his sons, had run off because he had murdered an Egyptian. But God called him back to Egypt to be instrumental in freeing God's people from the tyrannical rule of the Pharaoh.

As God had prophesied to Moses, the Pharaoh would not let the people go--not without plagues being visited upon Egypt. There were ten plagues in all, varying from the river turning to blood, infestation with fleas and frogs, a plague of boils and more. The last plague visited would be the death of firstborn of all humans and animals as well.

Time and time again, Pharaoh was given the opportunity to free the nation of Israel with each succeeding plague. But the Word of God tells us that Pharaoh "hardened his heart" and would not give in. Although there were times it appeared he would, he changed his mind and, in his pride, would not release Israel.

However, there was one big caveat: God would spare the nation of Israel's first born, but it had to be on His terms. Before we study the Passover, let's think about that for a moment. Sometimes we think that we can negotiate with God, don't we? We try to dictate terms to God based upon our wants and whims, only to have the door slammed shut and we sometimes get discouraged or even angry with God. But if you think about it, who are we to tell God what to do? Our overriding passion should be to do what God wants and to do it His way.

In Exodus 12:1-13, God lays out the specifications for what is called the Passover. This Passover was when the angel of death "passed over" the homes of the people of Israel and did not take their first born children or even their animals. But Passover is more than that; Passover points squarely forward to Jesus Christ. In fact, in today's key Scripture we see "Christ (is) our Passover, sacrificed for us."

1 Cor 5:7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. NKJV

How Is Jesus Our Passover?

How is Jesus our Passover? Well, first let's summarize the structure of what all happened at the Passover. First, the Passover lamb would be brought into the home on the 10th day of the month of Abib, which God designated as the first month of the year. The lamb would be spotless and without blemish.

The lamb would be kept in the home from the 10th to the 14th, and then would be slaughtered. The blood would be kept and spread on the door posts and lentel of the door, and the rest of the lamb would be roasted over a fire and eaten; what was left would be disposed of in the fire. All would be eaten with bitter herbs, and in haste; also wearing full clothing and sandals.

On that night, the angel of death would sweep through Egypt taking the first born of each household and also the first born of all livestock. However, the angel would "pass over" and not take the first born in the homes that had the door posts and lentels covered with the blood of the sacrificial lamb, or the first born of the livestock either.

How is Jesus shown in this passage of Scripture? Each element of the Passover points directly to Christ.

First is the timing. On the 14th day of Abib (also called Nisan) the lamb would be slaughtered. Jesus was also crucified on the 14th day of Abib. When He was put on the cross at the third hour (9:00 AM), the Passover lambs would be tied down at the altar. At the ninth hour (3:00 PM) the Passover lamb would be put to death; this is the time that Jesus died. At the same time that the throats of the lambs were cut, Jesus died on the cross. Both sacrifices died simultaneously.

The lamb that was chosen was to be spotless and without blemish. This speaks to the nature of the Savior; Jesus was without sin, blameless and without spot or blemish morally and spiritually.

The lamb was to be roasted over a fire, and not boiled in water or eaten raw. Fire always represents trials, tribulation and also persecution which Jesus endured. J. Vernon McGee notes that water would represent watering down the message.

The blood spread over the door posts and lentel was placed there so that the angel of death would "pass over" the home; it was the blood that covered the home. It is by the shed blood of Christ that we are saved from an eternity of "second death"--an eternity apart from God in the misery of Hell.