Jesus and Passover
Jesus is referred to as our Passover because He fulfills and embodies the symbolism of the Passover lamb from the Old Testament. In the original Passover event, the blood of a lamb was shed and placed on the doorposts of the Israelites' homes. This act marked them for salvation, sparing them from the judgment of God that fell upon Egypt during the final plague (Exodus 12). This event was a picture of deliverance—physical freedom from slavery and judgment.
In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29) who takes away the sin of the world. His sacrificial death on the cross fulfills the symbolism of the Passover lamb. Here’s how Jesus is our Passover:
Jesus as the Lamb: Just as the Passover lamb was without blemish (Exodus 12:5), Jesus lived a sinless life, perfect and without fault. He is the unblemished Lamb who was offered as a sacrifice for our sins (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Jesus’ Blood and Protection from Judgment: In the Passover, the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from God's judgment (Exodus 12:13). In the same way, Jesus' blood, shed on the cross, protects believers from the judgment of God. When a person trusts in Jesus, they are “covered” by His sacrificial death, and God’s wrath passes over them. As 1 John 1:7 says, "the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
Jesus' Death as the Means of Redemption: The death of the Passover lamb marked the Israelites' redemption and deliverance from slavery. Likewise, Jesus’ death on the cross delivers believers from the bondage of sin and spiritual death (Galatians 4:4-5). Through His sacrifice, He provides the ultimate freedom—freedom from sin, condemnation, and eternal separation from God.
The Timing of Jesus' Death: Jesus' crucifixion happened during the Passover season, which ties His sacrifice directly to the Passover celebration. In fact, Jesus’ last supper with His disciples was a Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-19), and during this meal, He reinterpreted the Passover in light of His upcoming sacrifice. He took the bread and the wine, representing His body and blood, and instituted the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of His death.
The Fulfillment of Old Testament Types: Passover was a shadow pointing to the reality of Christ. Hebrews 10:1 explains that the law, with its sacrifices and ceremonies, was only a shadow of the good things to come. Jesus is the substance that those Old Testament sacrifices pointed toward. He is the true Passover Lamb whose sacrifice once and for all atones for the sins of His people (Hebrews 9:12-14).
Thus, Jesus is our Passover because He is the fulfillment of everything the Passover lamb symbolized: protection from judgment, redemption from slavery, and the ultimate deliverance of God’s people through the shedding of innocent blood. By His death, Jesus has provided for us the ultimate and final salvation.
