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 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (usually in March or April) and lasts for eight 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. After feast, they will celebrate The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:15:20,  13:3–7): “No leaven shall be eaten . . . For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread .

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.

The Last Passover Meal

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.

Crucifixion on the Biblical Calendar

According to the Biblical Calendar, Jesus was crucified on 14th Nissan, the first day of Passover. John 19:14–22 recounts:

“And it was the preparation of the Passover… Behold your King!… Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified… And they crucified him.”

Mark 15:25 notes that He was crucified at the third hour (~9:00 AM), while Matthew 27:45 describes darkness covering the land from the sixth to the ninth hour (12 PM – 3 PM), when Jesus gave up His spirit (~3:00 PM).

Christ as the Passover Lamb

The Apostle Paul directly connects Passover to Christ in 1 Corinthians 5:7:

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

John 19:14–36 also emphasizes that Jesus was crucified on the Day of Preparation for Passover, coinciding with the slaughtering of the sacrificial lambs in the Temple. Significantly, none of His bones were broken, fulfilling the original Passover law in Exodus 12:46.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

These events serve as a solemn reminder of the ultimate sacrifice of our Savior. His death and resurrection bring new life and deeper meaning to the Passover celebration, highlighting both God’s provision and His redemption.

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 Holy Lamb He would provide, He will be the Messiah and Eternal King.

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.

How to Celebrate Passover:

13 Nissan : Search for the chametz after dark, in the dawn, and sunrise. Recite the Prayer: “Blessed are You, Lord, our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments (Holy Word) and commanded us concerning the removal of chametz.”

Preparation of Passover:

14 Nissan : Fast of the Firstborn. All firstborn males are required to fast. To be exempt from fasting, one can participate in a meal marking the fulfillment of a mitzvah; such a meal is generally held in the synagogue after morning prayers on this day. Light holiday candles reciting blessings, “Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr shehl shah-baht koh-dehsh.”

“Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holy Shabbat”

1st day of Passover: The Feast of Unleavened Bread

15 Nissan : Morning service.

“Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Yom Tov light.”

Torah reading: Exodus 12:21–51 and Numbers 28:16–25.
Haftorah: Joshua 3:5–7, 5:2–6:1, 6:27.

The priests bless the congregation with the priestly blessingduring the Musaf prayer. “Numbers 6:23: May the LORD bless you and watch over you. May the LORD cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May the L-rd raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace. They shall bestow My Name upon the children of Israel, so that I will bless them.”

The counting of the Omer is recited during each of the next forty-nine days, leading up to the holiday of Shavuot on the fiftieth day. The 49 days embody the 49 steps of self-improvement — beginning with the departure from our “personal” Egypt, until our arrival at Mount Sinai, when God’s people with Patriarch Moses were ready to accept the wisdom of the Torah.

After dark, light candles for the second day of Passover, using an existing flame, and recite blessings.

Second Seder: The Seder contains the observance of many Biblical and Rabbinic Mitzvot, including: eating Matzah, eating Marror (bitter herbs), drinking four cups of wine, relating the story of the Exodus to our children, reclining as a symbol of freedom, etc.

2nd day of Passover-Yom Tov: The Feast of Unleavened Bread

16 Nissan :  : Morning service.

“Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments (Holy Word who came into this world as Messiah to save mankind), and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat and Yom Tov light.”

Torah reading: Exodus 12:21–51 and Numbers 28:16–25. Haftorah: Joshua 3:5–7, 5:2–6:1, 6:27.

The priests bless the congregation with the priestly blessingduring the Musaf prayer. Numbers 6:23

3rd day of Passover: The Feast of Unleavened Bread

17 Nissan :

“Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat and Yom Tov light.”

Morning service.

Exodus 33:12–34:26 and Numbers 28:19–25. Haftorah: Ezekiel 37:1-14. The Musaf Amidah is recited. During all of the intermediate days.

4th day of Passover: The Feast of Unleavened Bread

18 Nissan :

“Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat and Yom Tov light.”

Morning service. Torah reading: Exodus 22:24 – 23:19 and Numbers 28:19–25.

5th day of Passover :The Feast of Unleavened Bread

19 Nissan : 

“Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat and Yom Tov light.”

Morning service. Torah reading: Exodus 34:1-26 and Numbers 28:19–25. The Musaf Amidah is recited.

6th day of Passover-Yom Tov: The Feast of Unleavened Bread

20 Nissan : 

“Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat and Yom Tov light.”

Morning service. Torah reading: Numbers 9:1–14 and Numbers 28:19–25. The Musaf Amidah is recited.

Light candles for the 7th day of Passover, and recite blessing. Numbers 6: 23

It is customary to remain awake all night, studying Torah, in commemoration of the great miracle of the Splitting of the Sea, which occurred on the 7th day of Passover.

7th day of Passover: The Feast of Unleavened Bread

21 Nissan :  Shevi’i Shel Pesach :

“Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.”

Morning service. Torah reading: Exodus 13:17–15:26 and Numbers 28:19–25.
Haftorah: II Samuel 22:1–51.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Festive lunch meal. Light a candle on every day of the festival.

22 Nissan : Final Day of Passover — Acharon Shel Pesach : Morning Service, Torah reading: Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17 and Numbers 28:19–25.

Haftarah: Isaiah 10:32–12:6.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer. Number 6: 23

On this final day of Passover we strive for the highest level of freedom, and focus on the Final Redemption. Following the Baal Shem Tov’s custom, we end Passover with “Moshiach’s Feast” a festive meal complete with matzah and four cups of wine, during which we celebrate the imminent second arrival of the Messiah as King of Kings. The feast begins before sunset and continues until after nightfall. As First Messiah came for the spiritual salavation of mankind, according to the prophecies of the Patriarchs and Jew Prophets.

Nightfall is the official end of Passover