Passover is a 7-day celebration commemorating the exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt long ago. However, this is not the only time Passover is recorded in Scripture. In fact, every instance where Passover is celebrated in the Bible is incredibly significant.
It’s also no accident that Jesus’ death on the cross happened during Passover – at exactly the same day and time that the Passover lamb was being sacrificed in the temple in Jerusalem. Every Passover in the Bible points towards the vastness of what Jesus accomplished that day on the cross. So let’s take a closer look at each of them.
First Passover – Freedom FROM…
At the first Passover, God came to a people who were slaves in a foreign land and created a pathway for their deliverance and freedom. The word Passover comes from the Angel of the Lord “passing over” each household where the blood of a lamb was put on the doorposts and lintel. You can read the story and the very specific instructions God gave to the Israelites in Exodus 12.
I wonder how many of the Israelites really wondered what was going on. Why did they have to do all these things? The blood of the lamb on the doorposts; making sure they ate all the roasted lamb that night; getting rid of all the yeast (which is a picture of decay) from their houses and not being able to eat bread made with yeast for 7 days; having their meal fully dressed in travelling clothes. What did it all mean?
God was setting a pattern for them and for us, and providing a real-life example of rescue from slavery. Passover changed everything for the Israelites. They immediately began a journey to a new identity; a new way of thinking; a new land. The difference between slavery and walking in freedom could not have been greater. And that is God’s intention for each believer. Jesus changes everything for us, and with salvation comes a journey, a fresh identity and a new destination.
Second Passover – Freedom FOR…
The second Passover recorded in the Bible (Numbers 9:1-5) takes things a step further. It shows that Passover does not just bring freedom FROM something, but also demonstrates freedom FOR something. Notice that when the Israelites reach Mt Sinai, God does not say “I have brought you to Mt Sinai.” Instead, He says, “I have brought you to myself” (Exodus 19:4). They have been set apart FOR something extremely special (Exodus 19:3-6). They are now God’s holy people – their identity is being permanently re-defined.
Then God shows Moses a very detailed pattern for a unique structure they must build (Exodus 25:15-31:18). This structure needs to have primary place in the centre of their camp. This was where God Himself would come and dwell in their midst. The second recorded Passover is at the dedication of this new structure, which is the Tabernacle for His Presence, and this is very significant.
For the Israelites, and for us, freedom from bondage to slavery is only step 1. The second Passover reveals the beginnings of God’s plan of transformation for the Israelite people – from a rag-tag bunch of people to a glorious and holy nation who belong to God; from a slavery mindset to a new identity and a whole new way of thinking; from having a belief in God to living and moving with God’s continual presence. That’s what the Israelites began to experience, and that is to be our experience too. It’s radical. It’s exciting. It’s challenging. And it’s gloriously amazing!
So let’s not look back to our past in “Egypt” and all it encompassed. The Israelites were guilty of this, and it constantly undermined their journey forward with God. Instead, let’s realise the magnitude and extent of the freedom we have in Jesus Christ. And let’s say “Yes” to the fullness of the transformation He has purchased for us.
(We will continue our journey through remaining Bible Passovers in the next post.)
