Passover is once again
around the corner. Because of the
current war with Iran and flight restrictions, family reunions to and from
Israel might be very challenging, if not impossible, this year. Nevertheless, Passover even took place during
the pandemic, so there is no doubt that because of the resilience and
creativity of the Jewish people, they will celebrate Pesach in 2026 (5786 on
the Jewish calendar). As a matter of
fact, Passover 2026 is more relevant than ever!
Passover is biblically relevant: Going back to the book of Exodus, we read about the children of Israel’s departure from Egypt, led by Moses, into the wilderness wanderings. The details of the first Passover are given in Exodus 12 and serve as the foundation for the festival of Pesach. The Jewish people were introduced to the event as they were required to obey the God of Israel and trust Him.
Most of what they were asked to do was a novel event to them, but they went ahead and obeyed nonetheless:
“Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your
loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you
shall eat it in haste—it is the Lord’s Passover. For I will go through the land of Egypt on
that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both
man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am
the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for
you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over
you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of
Egypt”
(Exodus 12:11-13).
Passover became the starting point for the great voyage through the wilderness that would bring the chosen people to the Promised Land. It is also the first of the yearly convocations prescribed by the Lord in Leviticus 23, and one of the three with Shavuot and Sukkot to require physical presence in Jerusalem in biblical times.
Passover is historically relevant: Moving forward from the first Passover, the Jews have celebrated freedom from Egyptian slavery, God’s provision, and protection ever since. The Passover Seder (order) commemorates the events of the first Pesach and reminds them of God’s promises, covenants, and faithfulness. In light of the current events in the Middle East and so much uncertainty, the promises of Passover are something to hang on to, more than ever before.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob carried the children of Israel through the desert, against all odds, one miracle at a time; the Passover not being the least of them. In fact, that part of Jewish history is often used by God to remind Jewish people of His compassion, love and faithfulness: “But the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, Him you shall fear, and to Him you shall bow yourselves down, and to Him you shall sacrifice” (2 Kings 17:36).
Because of promises made by God such as the one found in Jeremiah 31:35-37:
“Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for
light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The Lord of hosts is His name: ‘If
this fixed order departs From before Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘Then the
offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever…. ‘If
the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out
below, Then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel.”
From our fragile human perspective, the situation looks bleak, but from God’s perspective, we know He’s got our back.
Passover is prophetically relevant: Perhaps more important than the biblical foundation and historical customs is the prophetic meaning that the feast of Passover holds. Each of the Levitical feasts found in Leviticus 23 has a clear prophetic meaning and fulfillment as they pertain to the redemptive ministry of Yeshua the Messiah. From the death of Yeshua the Lamb of God at Passover to Tabernacles, when His physical presence to fellowship with the believers in the Messianic Kingdom for 1,000 years will be experienced. A similar fulfillment in Yeshua is also expected in all the feasts and fasts in the rest of Leviticus 23.
At the Last Supper, found in the three Synoptic Gospels—Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–25; Luke 22:7–38—and also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, Yeshua led a Passover Seder in the Upper Room. While the disciples were gathered around the table to reminisce about the Egyptian captivity and ensuing freedom, Yeshua gave Pesach a much deeper meaning.
He connected many dots for them and for us in a way that should encourage us to trust Him even more:
Passover requires us to use Matzah (unleavened bread) throughout the whole meal and during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Leaven in the Bible usually symbolizes sin. Matzoh is without leaven, pierced and striped, just like Yeshua was without sin, pierced and striped.
Of the four Passover cups, Yeshua used the third one, or “one after supper,” also known as the Cup of Redemption. This was to symbolize His blood that would be shed soon after on the cross for the redemption of the sins of all mankind. This is when He instituted “The Lord’s Supper,” also known as communion.
At that moment, He also used the piece of Matzah known as the “afikomen” that had been pierced (crucifixion), broken (death), wrapped in white linen (burial clothe), put away (three days in the tomb), retrieved and shown to all (resurrection). This was to symbolize His body given for all. This is all part of Jewish tradition and not a Christian invention.
Additionally, there are many parallels between the lamb for Passover and Yeshua the Lamb of God. In Exodus 12:3, the lamb had to be examined, and Yeshua was examined by a delegation of rabbis at His Jordan immersion (John 1:19-34). In Exodus 12:5, after examination, the lamb had to be declared “kosher for Passover” once proven without defect, blemish, or spot. Yeshua the Lamb of God was blameless, spotless, and without sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). None of the lamb’s bones were to be broken according to Exodus 12:46, and Yeshua gave His last breath before they would break His legs as was the practice at the end of a crucifixion (John 11:33-36).
There are so many more connections to be made between Yeshua and the Passover Lamb. Suffice it to say that He fulfilled all the Spring Festivals and will fulfill all the Fall Feasts in the future.
God’s faithfulness is our anchor for such a time as this. Our human perspective is blurred by our inherited sin nature, but God’s perspective is like His vision: flawless. We need the Lamb of God more than ever.
Keeping it all in perspective and biblical, the Lamb of God was sacrificed for our sins over 2,000 years ago. He rose again after three days, ascended into Heaven and currently sits at the right hand of the Father. He is patiently awaiting the day when He will return—not as the Lamb of God—but as the conquering and ruling Lion of Judah! In the meantime, let’s all be grateful for the work of the Lamb on our behalf.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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