Mention the word “Passover,” and what comes to mind? If you are familiar at all with this festival of God, you might think of a Jewish holiday, the Old Testament, or possibly the Exodus.

Is Passover still important in worshiping God today? Is it just an Old Testament ordinance that has been done away? Why has the holiday of Easter replaced the biblical festival of Passover?

Let’s set the stage as we dig into this topic. Looking around our planet and even deep into the universe, we only see an abundance of life here on earth. Of all of the life forms here on earth, mankind is the pinnacle.

Have you wondered why? Are we simply the winners in a lottery that some call evolution—or is there another explanation?

The story of salvation

There is an answer and it is found in the Bible, specifically, in keeping the festivals and Holy Days of God found in Leviticus 23. God created mankind with the potential to be a part of His family—we are called to be sons (and daughters) of His glory (Hebrews 2:10). God’s festivals and Holy Days point to the plan of salvation that God is currently unfolding for our potential to become a reality.

When the festivals and Holy Days are kept as God intended, a picture is made clear of how God proposes to work out His plan of salvation. Rather than looking at the festivals of God as simply a listing of commanded assemblies, consider and ponder these days as chapters in a story. God’s story flows with His creation as a background. By observing God’s Holy Days we see the plan—the story—unfold of salvation God has in mind for all of mankind.

Understanding the plan of God, one chapter at a time

The first chapter of any story establishes the plot line. We are introduced to the main characters and the background is established for everything else to come. This is the case for the story of God’s plan for mankind as well.

Chapter one of God’s story opens with His Sabbath day (Leviticus 23:3)—the main character in God’s festivals and the element that not only lays the foundation for all that follows, but also provides the context of what God is doing in these days. The purpose of life is learned only by first acknowledging God’s right to declare holy time and how we should live. The Sabbath is vital to building a strong relationship with God.

Chapter two in God’s plan of salvation covers the first annual festival—the Passover (Leviticus 23:5). In the Old Testament observance, the Passover included a specific meal as recounted in the first half of Exodus 12. Instruction was given for an unblemished lamb to be set aside and then sacrificed on the 14^th of Abib (the first month on God’s calendar).

Remembering the Passover was vital for the Israelites because it was a very real rehearsal of their redemption. The blood of that lamb caused God to “pass over” their sins. But that lamb in the Old Testament was a precursor for a much greater sacrifice—a much better redemption. The Apostle Paul makes it very clear in 1 Corinthians 5:7 that Jesus Christ is now our Passover: “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us,” (NKJV, this and following verses).

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of what that lamb in the Old Testament represented. His blood pays for our sin debt, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29, see also 1 Peter 1:18-19).

The Passover and the imposter

Jesus’ death occurred on the afternoon of the 14th of Abib, the date of the Passover (see “Three Days and Three Nights,” in Fundamental Beliefs of the United Church of God). On the night before His physical death, Christ observed the Passover with His disciples and instituted new symbols—the foot washing, the unleavened bread, and the wine. Christ told them—and by extension us—that the Passover should be kept in remembrance of Him (Luke 22:19).

Jesus Christ was crucified on Passover to pay the penalty for our sins through His broken body and shed blood. The Old Testament symbol of the lamb that was sacrificed was Christ foreshadowed. As God passed over the sins of Israel when He saw the blood of the lamb on the doorposts, God now passes over our sins as Christ’s shed blood covers us (1 Peter 1:18-20, Romans 3:25). Jesus Christ—our Messiah—is our perfect sacrifice paying for the penalty of our sins.

What does Easter then have to do with Passover? The answer is—nothing. Easter is an ancient pagan holiday that was incorporated into “Christian” worship during the first few centuries after the crucifixion of Christ. A sunrise service, bunny rabbits, eggs and so forth are all ancient pagan practices. For a more in-depth look at this history we invite you to read, Holidays or Holy Days (specifically chapters 6-8).

Keeping the Passover (for those who are baptized into the true faith of Jesus Christ) symbolizes our Lord living in us (John 6:53-54). He sustains our life, and it is His will that should now be directing our lives as He lives in us. In doing so, we recognize and greatly value that Christ offered His body and blood to cover our sins. Through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Messiah, we are reconciled to God the Father.

A plan for a family

Passover represents an important step in God’s plan of salvation. The remaining chapters in God’s story of salvation are told in the other Holy Days (please readGod’s Holy Day Plan for an overview of these days). These days, coming annually, continuously remind us of each step in that plan. 

Without Passover—without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ—the story of salvation is impossible to finish or even understand. In Jesus Christ we have not only a complete Passover sacrifice, but more importantly we have a Messiah able to finish what God has started. God is a merciful Father offering all of mankind redemption and salvation so that we may all be in His family. This is the essential meaning of Passover and the Messiah.