April 15, 2004

OUR PASSOVER

"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7, NKJV).

This compelling title is replete with historical, spiritual, and theological significance. It recalls the greatest national liberation of a minority people in history. The Passover feast was instituted by God Himself to commemorate Israel's dramatic deliverance when the destroying angel "passed over" the homes where blood was applied to the door posts (see Exodus 11:7; 12:29). Ever since this momentous event, the Passover feast became the most sacred and significant of the seven national feasts of the Israelites.

The true significance of the Passover is found in Paul's declaration, "Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7, NKJV). The paschal lamb that was offered up at the annual Passover feast prefigured the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world (see John 1:29). By His death on the cross, Christ fulfilled once and for all the true meaning of the sacrifice of the paschal lamb (see Isaiah 53:7). Jesus, the Lamb of God, was crucified on the day of Passover, a celebration that began the evening before when the Passover meal was eaten (see Exodus 12:18).

The message of the Passover is that Christ died in our place. He died our death, took our guilt, to satisfy the demands of divine justice. Beyond Christ's death for us, there can be no further demand of justice on God's part for the true believer. Here's a special gem about Jesus as our Passover: "Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us. He gave His precious, sinless life to save guilty human beings from eternal ruin, that through faith in Him they might stand guiltless before the throne of God."--The Youth's Instructor, July 20, 1899.

My Prayer Today: Lord, as my Passover, You have been sacrificed for me. Thank You for Your supreme sacrifice. Amen.