What is Passover?

Passover is an eight-day Jewish holiday that is celebrated in early spring. The Hebrew word for Passover is Pesach, which means “to pass over.” The holiday is called this because God passed over the Jewish homes when killing the Egyptian firstborn on the very first Passover night. This year, Passover begins on Monday, April 10^th after nightfall. Passover celebrates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is described as the Festival of Liberation, the Festival of Freedom.

We can see many types and shadows in both the Old Testament account of Passover, as well as in the Jewish traditions for celebrating Passover today.

Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples.

"Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat... And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." - Luke 22:7-8, 14-16 KJV

Jesus was crucified at the time of Passover.

"Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." - Matthew 26:2 KJV

Jesus is called “our Passover.”

"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:" - 1 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

To be continued…