The First and Last Passover

The first and last Passover both involve bloodshed and flight from oppressors. As violent and frightening as they may have been, they both led to freedom and rejoicing. Let’s begin by looking at the institution of Passover in the Old Testament.

Moses and the First Passover

“Let my people go!”

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. Destination: the Promised Land.

But before Pharoah finally agreed to free the Jewish slaves, many plagues befell Egypt. Blood, frogs, lice, flies, diseased animals, boils on man and beast, hail, locusts, darkness, and death of the firstborn of both men and animals. God purposely hardened Pharoah’s heart to reveal His power and glory to the stubborn, unbelieving king of Egypt.

Not only were the Israelites present when God sent these plagues, but God also supernaturally protected them. As the Jews witnessed Egypt’s suffering, their camp was spared. Only the final plague demanded that the Israelites take action to be saved. The establishment of Passover is a Jewish feast celebrated to this day.

‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.’

Exodus 12:12-13 NKJV

Can’t we imagine the joy those captives experienced at their moment of freedom? After 430 years, God’s grace rescued them from slavery and set their feet on a path to the Promised Land.

Jesus and the Last Passover

Sacrificing lambs, goats, and bulls wasn’t God’s final solution. He had a better plan.

While Jesus celebrated Passover in the Upper Room with His disciples, Passover animals waited for slaughter on the altars of Jerusalem’s Temple. As His ministry came to a close, Jesus explained to His disciples about His blood and Its purpose. Remember when Jesus said people would have to eat His body and drink His blood to be part of Him? Consequently, many of His followers found this to be a hard saying and had fallen away. However, Jesus was referring to the New Covenant, not cannibalism.

Communion, not cannibalism

During the night of His betrayal, Maundy Thursday, Jesus established the New Covenant’s Holy Communion with His disciples at the Last Supper.

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’

Matthew 26: 26-29 NASB

What a glorious day when we will all take communion together with Christ in heaven!

While sacrificial animals shed their blood on the Temple’s altars, the Great Exchange happened at the Cross, and Jesus became the Savior of Mankind. With the establishment of the New Covenant, we take communion to remember what the Lord Jesus did for us. He died in our place so we don’t have to.

With the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, all blood sacrifice has ended. Forever.

There is only one way to God, and that is by His Son’s blood shed at Calvary. Through His sacrifice, we find forgiveness, and through His resurrection, we have eternal life in heaven and become joint heirs with Christ.

Likewise, God will supernaturally rescue us and set us on a path of freedom from the many crises facing our nation and world. Our freedom is in Christ, who gives us His heavenly peace in the midst of turmoil.

‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ 

John 14:27 NKJV

Come to the table.

The blood of the Passover lamb protected the Israelites from the Death Angel and initiated a passage of escape out of Egypt. Passover looks toward the future blood sacrifice of our Messiah.

The blood of the Lamb of God shed on the cross at Calvary gave all of mankind an escape from sin and separation from God. Christ offers us the gift of eternal life through His blood sacrifice.

Let’s take communion together in memory of what Jesus has done for us. Passover and the Last Supper are intertwined as one, representing escape from sin and death and entrance into the Promised Land of heaven.

Dear Father God, thank You for this Passover season and what it means to us. We are eternally grateful to Jesus for sacrificing His body on the cross and shedding His blood as the final sacrifice for sin. Our legal entrance into heaven and claim to eternal life is through the blood of the Lamb of God. We look forward to celebrating the communion of Passover with You in heaven. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

The First and the Last Passover by Karen Jurgens copyright ©2024 All rights reserved.