God's Calendar Starts with Redemption
Did you realize that God'scalendar doesn't commence with creation or with figures like Adam, Noah, or Abraham, but rather with the Passover? In Exodus 12:2, God instructs Moses, “This month will mark the beginning of your months; it will be the first month of the year for you.” This pivotal moment, when the Israelites were freed from Egypt, serves as the cornerstone of God's calendar. Why is this significant? Because the Passover is fundamentally connected to Jesus—Yeshua—the Lamb, the blood, and the unleavened bread. Let’s delve into how every ancient symbol associated with the Passover points to Him.
What is the Passover Seder?
To begin with, let's clarify a point. The proper term is "Seder," which translates to "order" in Hebrew. This is a traditional meal that Jewish people have celebrated for thousands of years to commemorate their liberation from Egypt. During the Passover Seder, families recount the story of the Exodus, drink four cups of wine, and partake in symbolic foods. It goes beyond mere tradition; it serves as a living prophecy.
Did Jesus celebrate Passover?
Yes, He did. In Luke 22:15, Jesus expresses to His disciples, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” This wasn’t merely a matter of following a religious tradition; He was fulfilling its purpose. Jesus understood that the Passover was a foreshadowing of Himself and recognized that it represented God's overarching plan for redemption for all of humanity.
The Passover Represents Christ
In Colossians 2:16–17, Paul points out that the festivals, such as Passover, serve as "a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ." The Seder table is not merely a reflection of history; it also unveils the Messiah. Now, let's examine the symbols individually.
The Passover Plate: Each Component Represents Jesus.
The Passover Lamb and Its Blood
In Exodus 12:23, God declares, “The Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood... He will pass over the door and not permit the destroyer to enter.” It's important to note that this was not about nationality or identity; it was solely about the blood. Even an Egyptian who heeded the warning and applied the blood would have been protected. This reflects the essence of the Gospel. We metaphorically apply the blood of Jesus to the doorposts of our hearts, allowing judgment to pass over us. Paul reinforces this idea in 1 Corinthians 5:7: “Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”
Not a Single Bone Broken
Exodus 12:46 states that the bones of the Passover lamb must not be broken during the sacrifice. When Jesus was crucified, John 19:33 notes that "they did not break His legs," thereby perfectly fulfilling this requirement.
The Matzah: Striped, Pierced, Unleavened
Matzah, or unleavened bread, symbolizes a life free from sin. However, if you examine it closely, you'll notice it is both striped and pierced, echoing the words of Isaiah 53:5: “By His stripes we are healed.” Additionally, Zechariah 12:10 foretells: “They will look on Me whom they pierced.” During the Seder, three matzot are placed together, traditionally representing the priests, Levites, and Israelites. During the meal, the middle matzah is broken, hidden away, and later retrieved as a reward. This hidden piece is known as the Afikoman, a term derived from Greek meaning “what comes later.” Does that ring a bell? The Father, the Son (who is broken and hidden), and the Holy Spirit—three in one. Jesus, the Afikoman, remains concealed from many of His people, but one day, all of Israel will recognize Him, and everyone will be saved, as stated in Romans 11.
Bitter Herbs: A Reminder of Suffering
The bitter herbs serve as a reminder for the hardships jews endured in Egypt. For us, they also resonate with Matthew 26:38, where Jesus expressed, "My soul is deeply troubled." He embraced the bitter cup of suffering in Gethsemane so that we could be liberated.
The Four Cups: A Reflection of God's Promises
In the Seder, the four cups of wine symbolize God's promises found in Exodus 6:6–7: • I will bring you out • I will deliver you • I will redeem you • I will take you as My people During the Last Supper, Jesus began by taking the first cup as was customary. However, something remarkable occurred—He chose to skip the second cup, the cup of judgment. Why did He do this? Because He intended to drink it alone on the cross. After the meal, He then took the third cup, the cup of redemption, and said in Luke 22:20: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” What a beautiful act. He accepted the cup of judgment so that we could all be saved and receive eternal life.
Communion is not a human creation.
When we partake in communion, we are not participating in a mere religious ritual; instead, we are linking ourselves to God's original narrative of redemption. The bread and wine that Jesus shared during the Last Supper were integral components of the Passover meal, and everything aligns seamlessly.
From Garden to Glory: The Timing Is Divine
Jesus did not first shed His blood on the cross; according to Luke 22:44, it began in Gethsemane, where His sweat was like drops of blood. Adam's sin in a garden brought death, while Jesus endured suffering in a garden to bring forth life. And the timing? Impeccable. - Jesus was crucified during Passover, precisely when the temple lambs were being sacrificed. - He was laid to rest during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, symbolizing His life free from sin. - He rose on the Feast of First Fruits, as the firstborn from the dead. No human could arrange such meticulous timing—only the true Messiah, who established these feasts 1,500 years prior through Moses, could fulfill them so flawlessly.
Final Thoughts
Passover is not merely a Jewish celebration; it is a divine blueprint that directly points to Jesus Christ. Every aspect—the lamb, the matzah, the blood, the cups, and the timing—bears witness to His identity as the true Messiah.
So, the next time you partake in communion, remember that you are not just reflecting on the past. You are engaging with the ancient rhythm of God’s plan to redeem the world through the Lamb of God.