If you were a firstborn of Israel in the land of Egypt prior to the exodus, you would have not been too comfortable on the evening of the 14^th of Nisan. You would have made sure to follow God’s instructions implicitly. The blood would have been over and on the doorposts. You would have had your portion of the lamb. You would be in your house with the door shut. You would have been very careful to attend to the details.

What about the observance of the New Testament Passover? Jesus Christ changed the symbolism on the evening prior to His death (on the 14^th). He did this for each of us to remember Him and His sacrifice on our behalf.

How should you, then, approach the New Testament Passover service? Perhaps this is your first Passover or perhaps you have begun to take Passover for granted.

If you are not yet baptized, you are certainly welcome to attend and observe this meaningful service. However, you should not partake of the emblems of the bread and the wine unless you are a baptized member of the Church. This principle is found in Exodus 12:48 in conjunction with Romans 2:28-29 and in Romans 6:1-13, Romans 8:9 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-28. One must have accepted Christ’s sacrifice for our lives by believing, repenting and being baptized. Then we receive God’s Holy Spirit that makes us Christ’s. If you do not attend the service as an observer, please reflect on the importance of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on that special evening.

Whatever your status—member, new member or unbaptized—here are seven approaches you need to take in order to participate in or observe a meaningful Passover.

1. Meditatively

Consider what Jesus Christ went through for you. Read Mark 14 and Mark 15. Read of His trials and passion at His trial and crucifixion.

2. Reflectively

Consider what Jesus Christ’s sacrifice means to you. Read Romans 6:3-5 and Romans 6:8, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 5:1-2.

3. Meaningfully

Understand what the Passover emblems represent.

• The foot-washing (Matthew 25:34-40; Galatians 5:13)—the attitude and heart of a servant.
• The bread (John 6:35; 1 Corinthians 10:11-17; 1 Peter 2:24)—Christ, His sufferings and His body.
• The wine (Hebrews 10:4-5, Hebrews 10:9-11; 1 Peter 1:19-20)—Christ’s shed blood, His very life being poured out for each of us.

4. Reverently

Consider that we observe the Passover in honor of the death of Jesus Christ. We are to remember His death on our behalf. John 16:6, John 16:20, John 16:22; 1 Peter 1:10-16 and Luke 20:13 enlighten us concerning the seriousness of His sacrifice.

5. Joyfully

Observing the Passover service brings to mind the freedom that you have received from the grips of sin (1 Peter 1:8; Philippians 3:2-5; 1 Peter 4:13).

6. Gratefully

You should express thanks and feel grateful that you have a Savior who forgave you and ever lives to forgive your sins. Forgiveness is a wonderful blessing that you can never be too thankful for (Colossians 2:5-8; 1 Timothy 1:12-15; Romans 15:10-12).

7. Hopefully

Through Christ’s death and life, you may walk with Him now and forever (1 Corinthians 15:19; Colossians 1:27; Colossians 3:2-4; 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:21).

Please study and reflect on these seven approaches. And at Passover, have a meaningful observance as we all bring recognition, praise and honor to our Great Savior Jesus Christ.