Find out what Passover means, why it’s important to you and your family, and why you want to observe it.
What is Passover? Remembering the deliverance from Egyptian bondage. It is a time of beginnings for Israel. This festival ushers in the coming of Spring on the Jewish calendar. Each year during Bible times on Passover, an unblemished firstborn male lamb was sacrificed and its blood poured on the altar. A lamb was selected for each family, and four days before the lamb was to be slain it was brought into the home for a four-day examination period. The Messianic significance – Jesus is the sacrificial lamb who died for our sins. On the Hebrew calendar, Nisan 15 at the exact time the lamb was to be slain, Jesus was slain. Jesus also had a four-day examination period before the religious leaders and was found without blemish. He still died for our sins, the blood of Jesus saves us, not our works.
On Passover, believers were instructed to put blood over the doorposts. This was a sign to the angel of death that the inhabitants are covered by the blood of Jesus and he had to pass over their home.
Today, in modern times, since we are not called to sacrifice lambs, this can be observed by placing a red swath or cord over the doorpost.
A sobering thought: Were there no Passover sacrifice and no blood on the doorposts, then no Torah could have been given and no other celebrations could have followed. There would have been no Segway for our Messiah to later become our sacrificial lamb for our sins.
You can read this story in its entirety in the book of Exodus. Exodus is the 2nd book of the Bible and the 2nd book of the Torah. The Torah being the first 5 books of the Bible, the books given to all YHWH’s people through Moses.
What is the feast of Passover? And why should all God’s followers observe it?
What is the feast of Passover? And why should all God’s followers observe it? Passover is one of the God appointed feasts that commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. It is observed by Jews and Messiah followers alike, as it is a commemoration of God’s deliverance of His people the Israelites and the sojourners and foreigners. Messianic followers, look to the Passover as a time to reflect on our own spiritual journey and deliverance from sin.
The Passover is a time of joy and gratitude, where we remember and celebrate God’s commitment to freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is also a time to celebrate the beginning of spring and the abundance of harvest season. Observing Passover is a commandment from God and a way for us to demonstrate our love and obedience to Him. It is also an opportunity for personal development, where we can reflect on our lives and strive to become better servants of God. As we celebrate Passover, it’s important to reflect on our relationship with God. Continue reading to know how can we use this time to deepen our faith and become better followers of His word?
The feast of Passover is a time to remember when God delivered His followers from slavery in Egypt
At Passover, believers are called to remember how God delivered the His people from slavery in Egypt. During this time, the Pharoah was stubborn and held fast to his beliefs despite 10 Plagues sent by God through Moses. Through these Plagues, which ranged from water turning into blood to pestilence and hail, God showed His power and sovereignty over even the most resistant of rulers. One of the final Plagues during Passover was the blood placed over doors as a sign for God’s own people, symbolizing protection for them as His angel of death passed over them to kill all the first born as He promised the Pharoah. Anyone with the blood of a lamb over their doorpost was spared. While it seems cruel that God hardened the heart of Pharoah so that His glory could be made known, it was necessary for deepening faith in Him during this time of hardship. Instead of being discouraged by their oppression, the Israelites had hope for deliverance when tested through adversity. This Passover season provides an opportunity to remember how our faith is tested – yet deepened – when God intervenes with His miracles.
Springtime is a joyous time with four of God’s appointed feasts, one being Passover
Springtime is the perfect time to give thanks and pay homage to the Lord and all the first appointed feasts that He has given us. The feasts of the Lord are the foundation upon which our faith and our beliefs are built. Passover is the first of four feasts the Lord appointed in the Spring, bringing joy and unity among believers everywhere. The other three feasts include Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost (Shavuot), all offering us the hope of salvation for our souls. Through these appointed times set by the Lord, we can be reminded that His mercy is never-ending and His love unfailing. May we ever continually praise and be thankful for the existence of these glorious celebrations that are uniquely centered around God’s chosen people and all humankind. These are His holidays that He created for all His followers. Holidays outside of His plan are considered pagan holidays, man-made, and serve no true spiritual meaning with God. They can be found in the Torah for further study.
All God’s followers should observe the feast of Passover because it is a commandment from God
As followers of God, it is important to observe the feast of Passover in remembrance of when the Israelites were freed from the bondage of Egypt. This feast originated with the Lord’s instruction to Moses and a commandment that all believers should follow. The observance of Passover teaches us to rely on God for our deliverance for our personal bondage and be thankful for His mercy. Passover is also a reminder for us to always honor the commands given to us by God. What greater blessing can a believer receive than having the opportunity to obey God and serve Him faithfully? Through following this commandment, we rejoice in His love, embrace His mercy, and give thanks for His holiness that brought about deliverance in our lives.
Observing the feast of Passover is a way to show our obedience and love for God
The feast of Passover is a remarkable occasion and it serves as an opportunity for us to demonstrate our loyalty and admiration for God. Showcasing our reverence by recognizing the holiday and immersing ourselves in all elements offers a unique, tactile approach to expressing our devotion. The edifications in scripture remind us that honoring this custom, practiced for centuries by so many, is a way to honor God express our gratitude for His blessings. Consider taking this time to join your community in prayer and reflection, so as to make your faithful declarations to Him through acts of love and obedience. This meaningful observance is both an affirmation of faith, as well as celebration of our Messiah’s great act of redemption.
The feast of Passover is also a time for us to reflect on our own lives and see how we can be better servants to God
Passover is a special celebration of the ancient Israelites being delivered from slavery in Egypt. We can also look to it as a reminder to examine our own lives, appreciating the mercies of God and striving to be more obedient to His will. Just as Moses held up the staff so that God’s people might go free, we too can remember the power of obedience in our lives, and the challenges it may bring. May we accept these tests with grace and faith, trusting in God’s unfailing love and renewing our hearts by striving for an even closer relationship with Him through spiritual reflection and through studying His entire love story to us, the Holy Bible, cover to cover, Genesis to Revelation. It is an exciting opportunity for us to draw closer in a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father God each and every day!
What is the proper way to observe Passover?
The Father tells us through Moses exactly what was expected during that time. For Christians or Messianic followers who want to honor YHWH God now by obeying His commands and observing His feasts, let’s look to scripture for some guidance on what to do.
Exodus 12: 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 a sheep or a goat, with no defects. “Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and 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 and bread made without yeast. Do not eat any of the meat raw or boiled in water. The whole animal—including the head, legs, and internal organs—must be roasted over a fire. Do not leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eaten before morning. “These 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. “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. This is a law for all time. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast. On the first day of the festival, remove every trace of yeast from your homes. Anyone who eats bread made with yeast during the seven days of the festival will be cut off from the community of Israel. On the first day of the festival and again on the seventh day, all the people must observe an official day for holy assembly. No work of any kind may be done on these days except in the preparation of food. “Celebrate this Festival of Unleavened Bread, for it will remind you that I brought your forces out of the land of Egypt on this very day. This festival will be a permanent law for you; celebrate this day from generation to generation. The bread you eat must be made without yeast from the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month until the evening of the twenty-first day of that month. During those seven days, there must be no trace of yeast in your homes. Anyone who eats anything made with yeast during this week will be cut off from the community of Israel. These regulations apply both to the foreigners living among you and to the native-born Israelites. During those days you must not eat anything made with yeast. Wherever you live, eat only bread made without yeast.”
Without a Temple and Levitical priests, many of those things can’t be observed for now, but there are things we can still do to obey and observe. You can Google ways to properly observe, but the basics would be to get all the yeast out of your home, put a red swath over your door, observe the Sabbath rules of rest and no work, have a meal with your family and read the Passover story. There are recipes you can find to help represent the story as well. Teach this to your children from generation to generation.
Observing this Feast is for ALL His followers, not just the Jews. Our loving, gracious YHWH God created these feasts for all of us who love Him and want to obey Him and follow Him wholeheartedly. God wants us to observe these feasts yearly forever, because He wants us to remember. Remember His love, His miracles, His deliverance, His grace, His mercy, and that He is our one true living God who created us and gave us breath. And to remember the ultimate gift He gave us, His son who died for our sins, Jesus our Messiah.
Choose today to learn the whole truth in His Word. Learn about the Feasts and why He created them for you. They are a special gift for all His followers!
What a delightful thought!
I invite you to search the Truth yourself. Test it. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Please go to your Bible and study the entire story. See firsthand what His word says and what He wants to show you. I always check several versions to allow the Spirit to show me the difference and truth. I recommend you do the same.
Enjoy pondering that thought today!
God bless you