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As we rapidly approach Passover 2015 within a few hours, I once again reflect on the misdirection that occurred so many centuries ago. My own journey through faith in Christ has been a rocky one with many hills and valleys. The past decade has been especially trying as I’ve had my eyes opened to the reality that all is not totally above board in the practice of modern Christianity. In fact it hasn’t been for centuries.<\/p>\n
When it comes to the question of Passover or Easter most Christians will say Easter of course. It’s ‘the’ celebration of celebrations for all of Christendom. The entire reason for the faith. The resurrection of Christ the Messiah. But is it really, or is simply what we’ve all been told?<\/p>\n
My own first shocking indication that there might be something wrong came with the sudden realization that Jesus was crucified on Passover. For what ever reason this is not something the modern church seems to make very clear. Or at least that’s been my experience. Of course we focus on His sacrifice and resurrection. His blood. But the connection to Passover is white washed.<\/p>\n
What is often referred to as the last supper was of course the Passover meal, typically eaten at the beginning of Passover. This was in the evening since the Jewish day begins at sunset. Following the meal Christ and His disciples went to the garden of Gethsemane. There He was arrested during the night and taken before the chief priests and the elders and the scribes who judged and condemned Him.<\/p>\n
Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. Mark 15:1 [NASB]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Pilate questioned Him and put his fate before the people, where He was chosen to be crucified instead of Barabbas. Jesus was immediately taken away and brutalized by the guards, and then sent to the cross. He died late that same day, the Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).<\/p>\n
An in-depth study of the entirety of Scripture reveals the Old Testament points towards Christ while the New looks back on Christ. Of the many events and prophecies that reveal Christ, among them is Passover. The day when GOD spared HIS chosen people from the angel of death through the sacrifice of a lamb, which subsequently freed them from bondage. This was a foreshadowing of the final Passover, the salvation of all people through the sacrifice of HIS lamb, freeing them from bondage. This of course is Christ.<\/p>\n
But Passover was back in the Old Testament times and has no bearing on today right?<\/p>\n
Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance. Exodus 12:14 [NASB]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This only applies to the Jewish people though, right? At first it did but Jesus did a remarkable thing during the last supper. He changed the Passover meal from a remembrance of the foreshadow event of salvation, in to a memorial of the new covenant [Luke 22:14-20]. In doing so Passover becomes a celebration of the fulfillment of the first Passover in Christ.<\/p>\n
But what about Easter?<\/p>\n