Passover

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is a significant Jewish festival that commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus (Exodus 12:1-14). The term "Passover" refers to the Lord "passing over" the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague, where the firstborn of Egypt were struck down. To protect themselves, the Israelites marked their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificial lamb, which served as a sign for the Lord to spare them from the plague (Exodus 12:12-13). This act of obedience not only signifies their deliverance but also establishes the sacrificial system that would later be central to Israelite worship.Passover is observed annually, beginning on the 14th day of the month of Nisan, and lasts for seven days with specific rituals, including the removal of leavened bread, symbolizing purity and the haste of the Exodus (Exodus 12:15-20). It is not only a historical remembrance but also a celebration of God's faithfulness and redemption, as articulated in Deuteronomy 16:1-3. The festival has theological significance, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, often referred to as the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29), whose death and resurrection fulfill the Passover symbolism for Christians, offering salvation and deliverance from sin.

Passover12