Date in Hebrew calendar-Nisan 14 (Eve of April 18 2011)

Scripture references:  Exodus 12:1-14; Leviticus 23:5; Numbers 28:16; Deuteronomy 16:1; Luke 22:1; Hebrews 11:28.

Passover is the first of seven “Moedeem” (God’s appointed times) and celebrates God’s deliverance of His people, Israel, from the the tenth plaque in Egypt i.e., the killing of the firstborn.  Each family of Israel applied blood of a lamb to the doorposts and lintel of their homes, and the angel of death “passed over” these homes sparing their lives from the judgment of God.  Pharaoh refused to let them go even after nine previous plaques, but this last one was so terrible, Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go from Egypt.

The Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew,  has been celebrated for thousands of years on the 14th day of first month of the Jewish calendar.  Yeshua (Jesus) was celebrating the Passover with His disciples on the night of the “Last Supper” or what we call today, “Communion.”

Today the Passover is celebrated in Jewish and Gentile homes with a family ceremony called the “Seder” or “Order” on the evening of the 14th of Nisan, presided over by the head of the household.  The story of the first Passover is recounted and symbolic foods are eaten to remind the family members of the suffering of their people in Egypt, and of their miraculous deliverance from bondage.

The Passover was a type, or picture, of the final deliverance God had promised for the people of Israel, and indeed for the whole world, when He would offer His Son as the ultimate sacrifice > Messiah the Passover Lamb, who would take away the sin of the world.  Each person need only apply, by faith, the Blood of this Lamb to the doorposts of his heart, and he/she will be delivered from the bondage of sin and from spiritual death.