Passover – God Saves His People Through the Lamb

The term Passover refers to the tenth plague in Egypt, when God struck down the firstborn of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. However, He passed over the homes of the Israelites that were marked with the blood of a sacrificial lamb.

Passover begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (usually in March or April) and lasts for seven days. It stands as a foundational event for the nation of Israel and remains a central theological symbol for Patriarchist Abrahamic Believers, Christians, and all who believe in the Messiah.

The primary account of Passover appears in the Book of Exodus, where God established it as a lasting ordinance for His people.

The First Passover in Egypt

In Exodus 12:1–28, God gave specific instructions to Moses. Each Israelite family had to sacrifice a spotless lamb and place its blood on the doorposts of their homes. As a result, the Angel of Death passed over those homes, and the firstborn inside remained safe from judgment.

Consequently, God protected His people from destruction through the blood of the lamb.

After the plague struck Egypt, Pharaoh released the Israelites and urged them to leave immediately. This marked the beginning of their deliverance from slavery.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

God also commanded the Israelites to remove all leaven (yeast) from their homes and eat unleavened bread for seven days (Exodus 12:15–20; Exodus 23:15). This act reminded them that they left Egypt in haste and trusted in God’s deliverance.

Moreover, Leviticus 23:4–8 lists Passover as the first of the Lord’s appointed festivals, beginning at twilight on the 14th day of Nisan.

Passover Fulfilled in the Messiah

In the New Testament, Passover points to the sacrificial mission of Jesus Christ, who is called the Lamb of God.

All four Gospels record that Jesus shared a final Passover meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. During this meal (Luke 22:15–20; Matthew 26:26–28), He gave new meaning to the bread and wine by presenting them as symbols of His body and blood under the New Covenant.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul directly connects Passover to Christ in 1 Corinthians 5:7 by declaring:

“For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

John 19:14–36 also records that Jesus was crucified on the Day of Preparation for Passover—the same time when sacrificial lambs were slaughtered in the Temple. In addition, none of His bones were broken, fulfilling the original Passover law found in Exodus 12:46.

The Meaning of Passover Today

Passover reminds us that God passed over the homes of the Israelites in Egypt and saved those who trusted His Word. They marked their doorposts with the blood of the lamb to show faith and obedience.

As Patriarchist Abrahamic Believers, we see that Passover points back to God’s revelation to Abraham. When Abraham prepared to offer his son Isaac, God provided a ram in his place (Genesis 22). This act revealed a prophecy: God would save the children of Abraham through a Lamb He would provide.

The ram foreshadowed the Messiah, the Holy Lamb, who would deliver all who have faith. God did not intend salvation through human effort but through His divine provision.

This Lamb—Yeshua HaMashiach—came to defeat sin, death, and Satan. He brings salvation to everyone who believes.

John 3:16 declares:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus also said:

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry.” (John 6:35)

Therefore, Passover continues to testify that God saves His people through the blood of the Lamb. It offers forgiveness, deliverance, and eternal life through the promised Messiah.