The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

THE PASSOVER

The Passover is a religious commemoration that all Jewish people are familiar with as they celebrate liberation by God from the tyranny of the Egyptians. The last plague God unleashed upon the Egyptians was one of death — the death of the firstborn in every family. Yet the Lord made a way to go through this judgment untouched by death. Any family who killed a lamb and painted its blood over the doorpost of their home would be passed over by the Lord (Ex 12:13). Long after their deliverance, the Israelites understood the significance in the annual day of remembrance: a lamb was sacrificed so that by its death others would be spared.

On the night Jesus was betrayed and handed over for trial and execution, he gathered with his disciples to celebrate the Passover (Mt 26:17 – 19). But Jesus took this religious ceremony and breathed life into it in a way his disciples never expected. “This is my body . . . This is my blood . . . poured out for many” (Mt 26:26 – 28, emphasis added). Jesus is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29). His innocent blood was shed so that by his death and resurrection others could have life (Mt 20:28).

Jesus, thank you for giving your body and for pouring out your blood for me, so that I could have life, a life I don’t deserve. Please take this life you’ve given me, and use it for your purposes. Amen.