Passover
Scheduled for April 20
This
week contains the Jewish feast called Passover. Many Christians are not aware
that the Last Supper was in fact a Passover feast -- a feast in which Jesus
revealed to his disciples that the Passover was a forerunner of his own
sacrifice. It is fitting therefore that we examine Passover, and see what
might be learned about the Lord’s Supper.
Passover
is so named because the Angel of Death “passed over” the houses of the
Israelites while destroying the first born of Egypt. The key feature is this:
the signal that any given house was to be passed over was blood on the lintel
and doorposts. Note that this salvation from death was not achieved by merit,
or by being born in the right tribe, or by achievement -- it was simply a
matter of claiming it. If you believed the Lord would deliver, and said so in
visible terms as he prescribed, you would be passed over in death. Perhaps
this seemed silly to some; I’m sure a few of the housewives asked who was
going to clean up that mess. But the foolishness of God is greater than the
wisdom of man. Passover starts with faith. The Lord’s Supper is a visible
demonstration of our faith.
Passover
involves sacrifice. A young lamb, in perfect condition, was to be slaughtered
to provide the blood for the doorposts and the meal. A perfect sacrifice was
required; the blood was the sign of salvation. Jesus is our perfect
sacrifice; by his blood we are passed over in death.
Passover
was a community ritual. The requirement was that the lamb be completely eaten,
or the leftovers burned. The Israelite was to assemble his family, and if that
were not sufficient in numbers, bring in others so that the lamb could be
completely consumed. So it is with us that the Lord’s Supper may not be taken
alone, but in the presence of the family of God.
Passover
was not an end, but a beginning. It meant that the Israelites were beginning a
journey to the Promised Land. It was in many ways the beginning of the nation
of Israel. It was for most of them the beginning of their relationship with
God. So it is with us. The Lord’s Supper is not the end, but the beginning.
We acknowledge our sojourn in this world. By it we are made one people, the people
of God around the world. By the sacrifice it represents we have fellowship
with God.
Passover
was to be eaten in haste, dressed for a journey. The Israelite was to be ready
to go out and follow the Lord wherever He might lead, even though he was under
a roof celebrating a feast. He was to have his garments belted for a journey,
his sandals on his feet. Passover was to prepare him spiritually for the
trip. So it is with us. The Lord’s Supper should be taken as if preparation
for spiritual combat -- for such it is. We are not here to relax in angelic
arms, but to tighten our belts, put on our combat boots and prepare for battle.
