Why did Jesus Celebrate the Passover Feast?
The Passover reminds us how God delivered his people from three hundred years of slavery. God instructed Moses to ask Pharaoh to release his people ten times, followed by ten plagues, because he refused to obey God. Pharaoh finally relented after the last heart-wrenching plague. At midnight all the firstborn sons would die in every family in Egypt, including the livestock.
Moses instructed God’s people to sacrifice a blemish-free lamb and rub its blood over the doorways of their house with branches of hyssop so that God would know his people live inside. When God saw the blood, He passed by their house, and no one died. God’s prophecy that Pharaoh and the Egyptians would beg the Jewish people to leave came true.
Although God delivered his people from three centuries of slavery, their faith would be tested and tried through the challenges they faced in their freedom. The Jewish people prayed for years for their freedom, yet it didn’t take long for them to desire the meager comforts of food and shelter they had in their slavery in Egypt. Did they misunderstand God’s deliverance from the slavery of Egypt through the blood of a lamb for an easy life?
Power in the Blood
The Passover foretells the sacrifice Jesus would make as he shed his innocent blood over the doorway of our spirits and souls to set us free from the bondage and slavery of sin and death. Jesus would choose to redeem us and set us free without requiring anything. Like God, Jesus gave us the freedom to choose to dwell with him or go through life on our own.
The last meal Jesus had with his disciples was the Passover. Let’s look at the Scriptures.
As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it, for this is my body." And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom." (Matt. 26:26-29, NLT)
It’s clear from the words of Jesus that his blood would set all who accept him as their Savior and the Son of God free. If we are instructed to imitate Christ, we must remember the Passover as he did. The blood of Christ gave all believers new life on this broken earth and for eternity. We must never forget how difficult this was for Jesus because he was still fully human.
Jesus showed us his inner torture as he was fully human. He knew what would happen to his human body and that he would bear the weight of every person’s sins that will ever live until he comes back for us. Jesus asked God to take this cup of crucifixion away if possible as he prayed. But Jesus knew his father God’s plan would be the best, and he surrendered to God’s will.
Jesus trusted that whatever he had to face, God would use it for the best. His willingness to endure the torture of crucifixion opened the door to his complete resurrection and restoration, and he made it possible for ours in heaven. God’s Passover protection came to Christ’s mind and through God’s courage and strength. God didn’t prevent Christ’s pain, but He walked through it with him, and He promises to do the same for us.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isa. 43:2, NIV)
Remember and Rely on God’s Faithfulness
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. (2 Thess. 3:3-5, NIV)
During Passover, take the time to think about God’s faithfulness in your life. Jesus asked us to remember the Passover because he knew our inclination to forget God’s faithfulness when new challenges arise. When we think of God passing over His people’s houses in Egypt, let us remember the sacrifice Jesus made so that God’s judgment for our sins would pass over us.
God is the same today, yesterday, and forever. God’s word is true, and He tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us. Even if our body dies, we will walk with God and Jesus in heaven forever. Never forget how God’s love made it possible through Christ’s blood!
When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. 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.'" When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped. (Exod. 12:25-27, NLT)
