One of the most important commemorations of each year is the New Testament Passover service. It’s a special time for us as Christians as we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ being applied for us at our baptism. The memorial is also very special because of the commitment we made at baptism with God to follow Him for the rest of our lives. In addition, we share the communion of the bread and wine, which depicts the unity we so desperately need if we are to accomplish the work that Jesus commissioned His Church to do.

We will miss the main meaning of Passover, however, if we do not observe it in remembrance of Jesus Christ!

Passover is an excellent time to recall what Christ’s sacrifice means to each of us. He shed his blood for our sins and saved us from the death penalty. It also calls to mind the New Covenant that we now have made with Him through His blood. Both of those aspects are brought to mind at the Passover. We also remember how God saved those Israelites whose homes were covered by the blood of the perfect male lamb when death “passed over” their homes to kill the firstborn of those whose homes were not covered.

Bringing those issues and others to remembrance at the Passover memorial are well and good. However, we must not lose sight of the main meaning of the New Testament Passover. When the apostle Paul shared Christ’s instruction of the Passover, here’s where his emphasis was: “Take eat: this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me.” In the next verse he quotes Christ again as saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). Paul went on to say that by doing so, we show the “Lord’s death.”

Paul did not say, “This do in remembrance of your baptism.” He did not say, “This do in remembrance of the Israelites being protected from death.” The New Testament emphasis needs to be on remembering the death of Jesus Christ.

Our major focus as Christians needs to be on appreciation of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. Certainly, we need to thank the Father for being willing to give Jesus up for us (John 3:16). Christ gave up being equal to God to take upon Himself the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6-8). He also knew before the foundation of the world that He was going to have to become our Savior (1 Peter 1:18). He is our propitiation (atonement), and His sacrifice is also available to the world when they are called, believe, repent and accept Him (1 John 2:2).

Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus Christ in chapter 53 reveals that He would not be appreciated or esteemed by His people. We dare not allow ourselves to be guilty of not appreciating Him and His sacrifice on the day set apart in remembrance of Him and His death on our behalf.

Here are some reasons to appreciate Him as we prepare for the Passover season.

He was willing to give up being the logoswith God for us (John 1:1-2, John 1:14).

He left His glory behind to become a servant for us (Philippians 2:6-8).

He was tempted like we are so that He might be a faithful High Priest to us (Hebrews 4:14-16).

He set us an example and was never guilty of sinning. He kept His Father’s commandments (John 15:10; 1 John 3:5).

He suffered before death to take upon Him our diseases and infirmities (Matthew 8:17).

He died in the most painful manner humans devised at the time to taste death for all of us (Hebrews 2:9).

He dwells with the Father and ever lives to make intercession on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25).

He will share His glory with us when we are changed at the resurrection (Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2).

He’s coming back for us to join Him in bringing peace to this world (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 19:11-14).

The bullet points above give us all a start to appreciating Jesus Christ and remembering Him at the Passover. It’s great to know that any time, any where, we have a Savior who is willing to forgive us and care for us as long as we repent and believe in His grace.

Please add to the list as you remember Him this Passover and each Passover. Remember the words the apostle Paul quoted: “This do in remembrance of me.” Let’s all make sure we appreciate and remember Jesus Christ and His great sacrifice for us on Passover evening!