The Passion of ChristSample

Sacrifice & Passover: Behind the Text

Passover was the commemoration of one of the most important events in the Bible: the protection of God’s people from the plagues and their release from bondage in Egypt. Jesus fulfills this festival and institutes another pivotal moment to commemorate. Let’s explore the significance of the common elements.

Passover & the Lord’s Supper

As the Passover meal was an important rite for Israel, the “Last Supper” marked a point of transition for Jesus’ followers and became a similarly significant ritual in the church. The similarities and differences between these two meals are outlined below.

Passover … Is the great festival meal celebrating the birth of God’s people

The Lord’s Supper … Is the new celebratory meal of the birth of God’s people

Passover … Commemorates the liberation of the people of Israel from enslavement in Egypt

The Lord’s Supper … Commemorates the liberation of believers from every nation from their enslavement to sin

Passover … Participants associated themselves with redemption and a covenant with God

The Lord’s Supper … Participants associated themselves with redemption and a covenant with God

Passover … Participants look back to the Exodus and forward to God’s salvation

The Lord’s Supper … Participants look back to the cross and resurrection and forward to the consummation of the kingdom of God