by Rebekah Harvey

Passover this year began on Monday April 22nd and ends on Tuesday April 30th. Passover was and is to be observed each year by Jewish families. These families were to remember and discuss the great deliverance of their people from oppression at the hand of Pharaoh, and to teach it to their children. Passover is to be a time of celebration, a special festival to the Lord that is remembered forever. The Lord gave instructions to Moses and Aaron to follow before they had even left Egypt about how they should observe Passover. The Lord made this time a new beginning. He instructed them that they should observe the start of the year from this time on and in the future.

A special one year old lamb or goat without any blemishes or defects, physically perfect was to be taken special care of by the families. On the 14th day of this first month the family was to slaughter the lamb, drain the blood and then take some of that blood and smear it over the top and sides of the door to their house. They were to then roast the lamb with bitter herbs and eat it with bread that was not made with yeast. The Israelites were told to eat their lamb and bread in the house with their traveling clothes and sandals on, and be prepared for a long journey.

That night in Egypt the Lord would pass through and kill all the firstborn sons and male animals in that land. The plague of death would not touch the Israelites in their homes with the sign of the blood smeared over the doors. At midnight death struck the nation and from the most powerful Pharaoh down to the livestock, firstborn sons were being grieved across the land. Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and ordered them to leave. So on this night the journey of exodus from captivity began. This exodus of captivity from Egypt was fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to Israel to give them a land flowing with milk and honey. (Numbers 13)

I encourage you to read through the account of the first Passover in Exodus this week. If you are up for an extra challenge read Hebrews 10 for an understanding of how Jesus put an end to the need for animal sacrifice. Hebrews 10:9 “Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. 10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.”

Because of the obedient sacrifice Jesus made of Himself we are able to become pure before God, without guilt and worship and live for Him.

Hebrews 9:13 “Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.”