LESSON 12 Passover Feast

 LESSON 12 

Passover Feast

Objective: We, who have been saved through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb, from condemnation and slavery of sin, should live in fellowship with God.

Bible Portion: Exo. 12; Lev. 23:5; Deut. 16:1-8

Memory Verse: 1 Cor. 5:7-8

Therefore, purge out the old leaven, which may be a new lump since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Introduction

Who was the leader whom God used to liberate Israel from slavery in Egypt? How many plagues were sent to the Egyptians? Which was the last plague? How were the Israelites to escape from the previous plague? What was the name given to the lamb that was killed then? They started their journey from Egypt to Canaan that night. Passover was instituted to commemorate that day every year on the 14th of the first month.

Beginning of Passover:

Moses was sent by God to Egypt to deliver Israel from Egypt. Moses asked Pharaoh to let the people leave Egypt to worship God, but Pharaoh refused. Nine plagues were sent to the Egyptians, one after the other, but Pharaoh was still adamant. Lastly, the last plague of killing the firstborn of Egypt was declared. But God commanded Israel to observe Passover to escape from that plague and also from Egypt. Thus, the first Passover was observed.

The head of the Israelite family was asked to set apart a lamb without a blemish on the 10th day of the first month. The lamb was to be killed in the evening of the fourteenth day. The lamb's blood must be put on the two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the house. Its flesh, roasted in fire, must be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs that night. The bones of the lamb should not be broken. It must be eaten in haste, with their loins girded, shoes on their feet, and the staff in their hand signifying readiness to start their journey.

The first Passover was thus observed in Egypt. The angel of destruction came down that night and killed all the firstborns of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the least of the Egyptians. The sign of blood on the doorposts of the people of Israel saved them from destruction. The Egyptians compelled Israel to leave Egypt that same night. A large group of people, six lakhs of men and their women and children set out on foot from Egypt.

Yearly Observance:

Israel was commanded to celebrate the Passover feast every year. On the 14th day of the first month (Lev. 23:5), they observed the Passover in Egypt to remember the Passover. It can be seen from history that they continued to celebrate the feast as they were commanded (2 Chro. 30; 35:12-19). It was being celebrated even at the time of our Lord (John 2: 13-25; 6:4; 13:1). Christ was crucified during a Passover festival.

Meaning of the word 'Passover':

The literal meaning of the word is 'to pass over' (Exodus 12:26, 27). The name refers to the night when the angel of destruction passed over the Israelite houses after seeing the sign of blood at the door posts.

Spiritual truths as revealed by Passover

1. Lamb of God: The chief subject in 'Passover' is the lamb. The lamb foreshadows Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 5:7). Christ is called Lamb in the scriptures (John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Rev. 5:6; 6:1;21:9). The lamb is set apart four days before the Passover. Our Lord Jesus Christ was set apart as the Lamb of God for the redemption of mankind before the foundation of the world. In the fullness of time, he was crucified (1 Pet. 1:18; Rev. 13:8). Just as the Passover lamb was burned in fire, Christ suffered in the fire of the wrath of God. The command that the bones of the lamb should not be broken was also fulfilled in Jesus Christ. His legs were not broken although the legs of the other two on the cross were broken (John 19:31-34). "Even Christ our Passover Lamb is sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7). Thus we are delivered from death which is the wages of our sin and from the bondage of Satan.

2. The Liberated Israel: The people of Israel who were delivered from the bondage of Egypt by the blood of the Passover Lamb stand for New Testament believers. Our salvation is only through the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation for those who believe in Him (John 3:16-18; Rom. 8:1). Just as Passover marked the beginning of the year for Israel, faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ opens a new chapter in our lives (2 Cor. 5:17). Putting blood at the door posts shows that we are taking refuge in Him by faith. Eating of the roasted meat points towards the need to know Christ deeply and experience

He is in our lives. It also signifies the participation of God's people in the Lord's Table. Believers must grow in strength through partaking in

of Christ.

3. Unleavened Bread: Leaven represents uncleanness. Believers must keep holiness in life and be faithful to the scriptural doctrines. God commands, "Do not touch any unclean things (2 Cor. 6:14; 7:1; 1

Cor. 5:8).

4. Bitter herb: when we experience Christ, there will be times of bitterness and sorrow in this world. Jesus warned His disciples: "In the world, you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer" (John 16:33). The Apostle exhorted believers, "We must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22)

5. Eating the Passover meal in haste with loins girded, shoes on feet, and staff in hand: Believers must be ready to do service as per the example shown by our Lord. "And our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:15). Like Abraham, we must consider ourselves strangers and pilgrims in this world while looking for the heavenly city. Let us always remember that we are journeying in haste from this land of destruction to the city of Zion.

6. The Passover meal should not be eaten by a stranger: Only the saved ones have fellowship with God and His church.

Are you saved by the blood of the Lamb of God? Do you have constant fellowship with Jesus Christ and the Church of God?

Questions

1. Which festival is celebrated on the 14th of the 1st month? How

    did it start, and where?

2. Prove that the Passover lamb is the shadow of Jesus Christ.

3. Israel, delivered by the blood of the Passover lamb, represents New Testament believers. In what all respects?

4. List the practical lessons taught by Passover that are to be followed by

    New Testament believers.

5. How apt is the name 'Passover' for this festival?