Passover 1
I. Introduction
"You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me." (John 5:39 NIV)
The seven feasts of the Lord are: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. Observing these feasts annually testifies that Jesus (Yeshua) is the slain Lamb, while the sacrificial animals were merely foreshadows—only a shadow of what was to come, but the reality is found in Christ (Col. 2:17). Yet, to this day, whenever the Old Testament is read, a veil remains over the hearts of Israel (2 Cor. 3:15-16).
In Luke 15, a father had two sons: the father represents the Lord Jesus (Yeshua), the elder son represents Israel, and the younger son represents the Gentiles. Israel, as Jacob’s descendants, is the firstborn (Ex. 4:22). Gentiles, through the Gospel, become sons of God. Since salvation comes from the Jews (John 4:22), we Gentile churches ought to repay the debt of the Gospel—loving and honoring our spiritual elder brother, Israel—and reaffirm that Jesus (Yeshua) is their Messiah.
Around 1991, three elderly sisters from the church rebuilt by the Holy Spirit in Jiangsu, China, went to the countryside to preach the Gospel. They encountered a demon-possessed man with ten major demons and over a thousand minor evil spirits. Though the sisters cast out the demons, the evil spirits refused to leave. Finally, the sisters declared: "Jesus (Yeshua) Christ! For the sake of our apostolic spiritual fathers, have mercy on us and command these demons to leave this man!" The demons then screamed, "It’s over—we’ve met the younger sons of the Lord Jesus (Yeshua)!" Instantly, the unclean spirits fled!
Bearing witness to the Lord Jesus (Yeshua) (blood, water, and Spirit) is a spiritual relay race: Israel ran the first leg, carrying the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth so all nations might receive salvation. In the last days, the Gentiles will bring the Gospel back to Israel, and Israel must sprint to the finish. As Scripture says: "You will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." (Matt. 10:23 NIV)
II. Israel’s First Passover in Egypt
1. On the Tenth Day of the First Month, Each Household Prepared a Lamb
"The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, ‘This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.’" (Ex. 12:1-3 NIV)
God commanded Israel to mark the first month (Abib/Nisan) when barley ripened. If the barley was not yet ripe, they added a leap month (Adar II). The Jewish calendar, like the Chinese lunar calendar, has 354 days and adds leap months (seven in 19 years). Israel had to follow God’s timing precisely.
On the tenth day, Moses instructed Israel to select a lamb—a flawless, one-year-old male—for each household. This was four days before Passover, foreshadowing Jesus (Yeshua)’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey.
2. At Twilight on the Fourteenth Day, the Lamb Was Slain
"Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight." (Ex. 12:6 NIV)
Moses commanded Israel:
"At twilight, slaughter the lamb. Take some blood and put it on the doorframes of the houses where you eat the lamb. That night, eat the meat roasted over fire, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not leave any leftovers. Eat it with your cloak tucked in, sandals on your feet, and staff in hand—eat in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. That night, the Lord will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn. The blood will be a sign; when I see it, I will pass over you."
3. The Night of the Lord
"Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, this same night is a night of vigil to be observed by all the Israelites for the generations to come." (Ex. 12:42 NIV)
At midnight, the Lord struck down every firstborn in Egypt—from Pharaoh’s heir to the prisoners’ sons, even the livestock. Wailing filled Egypt; no household was spared.
Pharaoh urgently summoned Moses and Aaron: "Go! Take your people and leave—worship the Lord as you said!" Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years. On that very day, the Lord’s armies marched out.
III. Passover in Jesus (Yeshua)’ Time
1. On the Tenth of Abib, Jesus (Yeshua) Entered Jerusalem for Inspection
In Jesus (Yeshua)’ time, Jews would bring lambs to the Temple for inspection on the tenth day. Jesus (Yeshua), the flawless Passover Lamb, entered Jerusalem on a donkey, scrutinized by Pharisees who found no fault in Him.
The crowds cheered, waving palm branches: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (John 12:13-15 NIV)
2. At Twilight on the Fourteenth, the Lamb Was Slain
By Jesus (Yeshua)’ era, the Temple system was established. At 3 PM, priests slaughtered lambs, sprinkling blood on the altar. Families roasted the lamb for Passover supper.
IV. Jesus (Yeshua), the True Passover Lamb
"For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." (1 Cor. 5:7 NIV)
1. The Last Supper Was on Passover Eve
"It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. ‘Here is your king,’ Pilate said to the Jews." (John 19:14 NIV)
The Last Supper (after twilight on Abib 13) inaugurated the New Covenant in Jesus (Yeshua)’ blood—a marriage covenant between Christ and the Church.
Judas betrayed Jesus (Yeshua) that night. By dawn, Jesus (Yeshua) stood before Pilate. The Jews, fearing defilement, refused to enter the Praetorium (John 18:2
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2. What Happened on Preparation Day?
Preparation Day spanned from Abib 13 sunset to Abib 14 sunset:
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At 3 PM, lambs were slain (Passover began).
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Families prepared unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and roasted lamb for the 15th-night feast.
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3. Passover Lasted Seven Days
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Day 14 (Preparation): Remove all leaven (Ex. 12:15-20).
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Days 15-21: Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:6-.
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4. Jesus (Yeshua)’ Atonement Fulfilled the Law
Moses’ Passover lambs were rehearsals. The true Lamb was sinless Jesus (Yeshua) (Heb. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:
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5. Jesus (Yeshua) Died on Wednesday
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Wednesday 9 AM: Crucified (as priests sharpened knives).
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Wednesday 3 PM: Died (as lambs were slain).
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Three nights in the tomb (Matt. 12:40): Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
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V. The Full Gospel: Blood (Repentance), Water (Baptism), Spirit (Tongues)
"There are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three are in agreement." (1 John 5:8 NIV)
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Blood on doorposts, roasted lamb (Spirit), and eating the lamb (water) symbolize repentance, baptism, and Spirit-infilling.
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Christ’s blood, water, and Spirit deliver us from bondage (Ex. 12-14).
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Cloud and fire pillars signify the Spirit’s guidance (Ex. 13:21).
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Baptized in cloud and sea prefigure Spirit and water baptism (1 Cor. 10:1-2).
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God is God of Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 3:29).
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