Intro: One of the great mysteries of Jesus Christ that many observers at the cross missed, was that the one hanging on the cross was that Passover Lamb of God. Just as the Lamb of Passover was offered for every family, so the Son of God was given as the supreme sacrifice for sin. Every time we take communion, we should be mindful that we are partakers of Passover, and celebrate the significance of Passover in Christ.
Partaking the Passover
Luke 22:14-16
Jesus sits down with his twelve disciples to partake of Passover. He states that He had a great desire for this time together. I have pondered in my heart why this was such an important event in the life of Christ. Today, I would like to give you what I have discovered about Passover, and the significance of Jesus Christ in the Passover, and us partaking Passover in communion.
I. The Blood on the Doorpost—Exodus 12:7 in this meal with the disciples Christ reveals His blood is the blood on the doorpost. This is my blood which is shed for many.
a. in Christ you have a blood covering, sin cannot touch you anymore. In communion we celebrate that the blood of Christ is our covering.
b. The death angel must pass by—as Israel was protected from the death angel by the blood on the doorposts, the death angel has passed us by through the blood of the Lamb of God. Death has lost it’s sting, the grave has lost it’s victory.
c. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
II. The Lamb for a House—Exodus 12:3—a lamb for a house. The next significance of this Passover meal was the revelation that Jesus Christ was God’s lamb. That God had provided Himself a lamb to be slain from the foundation of the world.
· In communion we celebrate the grace of God, that He offered up a lamb to be slain for our sins. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.
· In communion we celebrate the greatest sacrifice of all time, no greater love hath any man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends.
· While we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.
III. Celebration of Deliverance—Exodus 15:1—the song of deliverance. Passover was a Jewish festival remembering God’s great deliverance from Egypt and bondage.
a. communion is our celebration of God’s great deliverance in our lives from bondage. What we couldn’t do for ourselves, God has done for us through Jesus Christ the Lord.
b. we have passed from death unto life, we have passed from bondage to freedom, we have passed over every enemy with the Lord on our side.
IV. God’s Mighty Acts—Passover was also a time to remember God’s mighty acts in the wilderness.
a. His mighty protection—Exodus 13:21-22- pillar of a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. We celebrate God’s mighty power in Passover. That he protects us: that no weapon formed against us will prosper.
b. His mighty provision—manna, quail, water from the rock. We celebrate provision in Passover. We say, our God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. That every good and perfect gift comes from above.
c. His mighty presence—that God went with them. The glory of the Lord was with them in every battle, in every thing. Today we celebrate the Lord’s presence in our lives by the Holy Spirit. Know ye not that ye are temples of the Holy Spirit.
V. God’s Promised Land—Numbers 13:27-surely it is a land that flows with milk and honey.
Passover celebrates the Lord bringing the people into the land of promise. As we take communion, we celebrate the land of promise that the Lord is preparing for us.
· A city whose builder and maker is God.
· A city built foursquare—1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide, 1500 miles high.
· A city where the Son is the light.
· A city where all sorrow and sighing shall flee away
· To be ever with the Lord—of this kingdom there shall never be an end.
Close: let today be a celebration day. Remember God’s covering, God’s lamb, your deliverance, God’s mighty Acts, God’s Promised Land.
