The Passover Lamb and Jesus: How the Two are Connected
Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2008
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
In Just a few weeks, Christians will be celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In April, Jews will be celebrating Passover. However, the Messianic Jew, (Complete Jew as many of them prefer to be called) will be celebrating both.
Many have asked how these two historical events are related. It is difficult to sum it up without going into some detail, but given the fact that this is an article and not a book, I will give it my best shot.
In the book of Genesis, chapters 37-50, we read the account of Jacob-- later called Israel and his twelve sons. (The twelve tribes of Israel) It records the series of events that led Joseph to Egypt. After being falsely accused of raping Potiphar's wife, he was imprisoned for two years. He was released after properly interpreting the Pharaoh's dreams and became second in command.Through many other events, all of Joseph's family came to Egypt.
The book of Exodus picks up the events some 400 years later:
"Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, 'look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.' Therefore, they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses." Exodus 1:8-9,11
During this time God heard the cries of Israel and in due time, He sent Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. As we continue reading, we learn of the plagues. God brought these on because of the wickedness of the Egyptian people.
Fast-forward to the tenth plague: Enter in Passover.
"Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, speak to all the congregation of Israel on the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the house where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in the fire...Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are and when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. So this shall be a memorial to you; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations." Exodus 12:1-14 (condensed.)
God did this to make a distinction between His people and the Egyptians.
The Israelites who obeyed the command to "cover themselves with the blood of the lamb," were "passed over" and were spared death. They understood that this was God's salvation for them and later we read that they understood this to be a picture of the coming Messiah, the perfect Lamb of God who would save them eternally.
JESUS THE MESSIAH
Messianic Jews and Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah, as He fulfilled hundreds of prophecies regarding the Messiah who was to come. The Bible refers to these two groups of people as the body of Christ. The book of Ephesians explains that by the shed Blood of Jesus he made the two peoples (Jews and Gentiles) one people. It was a big deal for the Jews to hear that the Messiah was also going to save Gentiles. However, more importantly, this was written to remind the Gentile believers that the Jews are and will forever remain God's chosen people. Gentile believers are grafted in with the Jews, they were not to replace the Jew. Unfortunately, the ignorance and arrogance of man did not accept this teaching.
(One of the reasons that Jewish believers do not want to be called Christians is because of the persecution from the Catholic Church. The word Christian leaves a bad taste in their mouth-no wonders.) Hence, they have given themselves the name Messianic Jew or Complete Jew--meaning they realize their Messiah has come and they have put their trust in Jesus and His shed blood-no longer relying on the shed blood of bulls and goats to "cover" their sin.
"knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot" 1 Peter 1:18-19
"But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood he entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" Hebrews 9:11-14
DEATH AND RESURRECTION
We read the account of the arrest of Jesus how he was held for four days just as the lamb or goat was in Exodus. In John 1:29, we read that when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." I could list many more passages of Scripture, but I trust you get the picture.
I ask for your forgiveness as I know I have fallen short in providing a clear biblical explanation. Nevertheless, I do have one hope: that this article raised a curiosity that will send you digging for more information on any or all of my comments. (May I suggest the book of Hebrews?) My prayer is that it has brought a sense of unity to Passover and the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. At first glance, they may seem as two different religious celebrations, yet according to the Bible, one is a completion of the other. What a special place the Complete Jew has, that they are privileged to have a place in both events.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever more. Sin has always needed to be paid for - in the Old Testament, it was the by the shed blood of spotless lambs, in the New Testament, it is by the shed blood of Jesus Christ - the Lamb of God. Just as it was foretold in the Old Testament.
To my Jewish and Gentile brothers and sisters in Christ, may we live out Ephesians chapter two the way the Messiah-our Savior intended it to be.
Teresa Ortiz
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More commentsTeresa, A great article. Any time I read an article I garner a certain amount of interest; however, when I read of Him, my innards expand and glow beyond measure. Without Chist in our lives, he of ultimate compassion, trust, faith, purpose and plan, we are nothing. For only through him do we obtain any greatness in this world, which has absolutely nothing to do with power, fame, fortune, man's knowledge, degrees, titles, ad infinitum. Peace and love to you and for the creator of all. Amen.Hi Jeff, thanks for reading and leaving a comment. I double your Amen!!! To God be all glory, honor and praise! God bless you and yours! Teresa
Teresa-Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge! I love reading how the old testament relates to the new testament. It is all so inner related. I just recently studied some of the significance of the jewish feasts. It amazed me how much more some of the things that Jesus said in the new testament meant. You are such a gifted writer! Thank you for sharing the message!Hi Laura, wow! Thanks for the wonderful comments, they are very encouraging. It's so true, when we understand that the old testament is a picture of the new, Jesus gets bigger and His words take on deeper meaning. I am so encouraged by the response of this article and nudging from Robert, that I am going to write more like these. I think I will write on the day of atonement next. That brings Hebrews to life and and it shows the significance of Jesus as the High Priest. Thanks again and God bless you. Keep growing! Teresa
I really enjoyed your article Teresa. it was very well written and timely for the season we are approching. May the Lord continue to give you wisdom for your teaching ministry. Mary MeadowsHi Mary, thank you for reading and for your comment and prayer! I am glad you enjoyed it. Lord bless you and keep you in His care! God Bless. Teresa
Teresa, Very good article. The Apostle Paul said, "For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed" (1Cor 5:7). This is what we celebrate on Good Friday. Your recommendation of Hebrews is great. I've been teaching the book for the past two months in our church. It is a rich part of the Word. Rejoice! It's Friday, but Sunday's comin'. PTLHi Dane, thanks for the kind comments. I bet your study is going great! The book of Hebrews is one of my favorite books. I think my all-time fav. is the book of Ephesians or Romans--O, I give up, they are all good!!! Blessings to you. He has risen!
At least this article is more Messianic in orientation then most of your other articles and much less "Christianese" so I had to give it three stars. I will add that I don't know many Messianics who like to be called "Completed Jews". The vast majority of us think that sounds like we were missing a finger or perhaps a toe before we came to Messiah. I've never used the term "Completed Gentile" as it sounds pretty insensitive. Anyway, I'll stick with the three stars for now. RavHello. Thank you for the peaceable comment. It all depends on the crowd of people we are connected to. Most of the Messianic Jews I know use this term as s term of endearment. In fact, these are the ones I learned this from. It may be the vast majority of those you are connected to. And I have no problems being called a completed Gentile. It is the truth. Actually none of us are complete without our Savior :-)
Thanks again.
Blessings to you!
Teresa
Some Jews allow others to define what they are called. The term didn't originally come from Jews who believed in Yeshua, it came from Gentile Believers. Some Non-Jews are offended when I call them "Gentiles". If I called them "Completed Gentiles" they'd find it even more offensive. I guess what I'm suggesting is to use the term only with Jews who you know don't mind it because there are many other Jewish Believers who find it insensitive. RavPoint taken. I did say many - not all :-) Blessings!
Wonderful explanation of the blood sacrifice, and Passover. So many people; both Jews and Gentiles really do not understand why "Jesus" is the Savior.Hello Elle, thank you for reading and for the encouraging comment. Many blessings to you! Teresa
The two are not related. Has nothing to do with the jews leaving Egypt G-D was the only reason we got out. The blood was of the lam represented the death to pass us as jews. Not Jesus! The blood is what the church want's you belave as the blood of Jesus, is just wine to us. It states in our Bible we are not allow to drink blood. Human or animal. It would be a sin. So what your saying is that we should sin in the name of your god Jesus . Sorry not me, I was Born a Jew and will die one.Hello Herb. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I respect your belief. I am not saying we are to drink blood - that is an abomination to God. I'm sorry if that is what you have interpreted. I did revise one part in this article, because it was pointed out by another that I left out an important statement in the Scripture from Exodus 12 (I also corrected this) What Christians and Messianic Jews believe is that Jesus 100 % fits the description through out the entire Old Testament and all the prophets of the Messiah. Again, my apologies, we are not to drink blood. The "drinking of blood" or "eating" the word of God are used in Scripture figuratively. The Psalms uses these phrases a lot. But not meant literally. Blessings to do you, Teresa
How thankful I am that He became the Lamb for me. Wow.
Thank you, Sis.Me too! Amen!
Your wrong again. The jewish Bible(your oldTestament, becuse we only have the torha or was it called The Tenanakh- Our holly Scriptures) Has never changed over 5000 years. If one thing changes the Torha has to be burned. Anyway ,it states when the Messiah comes all fighting-starving and all ill-will will stop. That will be the begianing of a world that god will thake care. We as people will live in his foot steps.Look around you. Jesus did not stop anything by his death. He was one of many people who called themselfs The Messiah. The world has gotten worst since his death. We as jews do not beliave that he will return again until the end of times ( as many people will return),when the real Messiah will come and stop what is happening.If you are a true jew you do not believe that Jesus fit any part of the ture Messiah who has not come yet.Hello Herb. I understand what many Jews believe and how many do not accept Jesus as the Messiah, I respect that. We will have to agree to disagree on this point. Many blessings to you :-)
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