What Does Passover Reveal About Jesus?: Seeing Christ in the Passover Lamb

I’m often surprised to meet Christians who have little interest in the Feast of Passover. Yet when we take time to study the Bible, we discover that Passover holds profound meaning for every believer.

There are at least three important reasons why Christians should care about—and understand—the significance of Passover.

• Passover foreshadows the coming of the Messiah.
• God commanded His people (and Christians are His people) to remember it throughout their generations.
• Passover reveals covenant promises God still desires to release in the lives of His people.

Too often, Christians focus their Bible study primarily on the New Testament and overlook the Old Testament. Yet the apostle Paul tells us that the events recorded in Israel’s history were written as examples for us:

“Now these things became our examples … and they were written for our admonition” (1 Corinthians 10:6–11).

One of the most powerful examples is the story of Passover and God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Although this event took place thousands of years ago, the message of Passover still speaks to us today.

The First Passover in the Bible

When Moses demanded that Pharaoh release the Israelites from slavery, Pharaoh repeatedly refused (Exodus 5). In response, God demonstrated His power through a series of ten plagues that struck the land of Egypt.

The final plague was the most devastating: the death of the firstborn.

This was not a random number of plagues. The Egyptians worshiped many false gods, and the plagues demonstrated that the God of Israel was greater than every idol and every false deity.

Through these acts of judgment, God was declaring His sovereignty and power.

But in the middle of this judgment, God provided a way of protection for His people.

He instructed each family to sacrifice an unblemished lamb and apply its blood to the doorposts of their homes. That night, when the judgment passed through the land, the Lord promised:

“When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13).

The blood of the lamb became the sign of protection and deliverance.

Passover Points to Jesus

The instructions surrounding the Passover lamb carried meaning far beyond that moment in history. The lamb had to be without blemish, symbolizing the sinless life of Jesus Christ, who would one day lay down His life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from death, the blood of Jesus brings forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life to all who believe.

Centuries later, John the Baptist recognized this connection when he saw Jesus approaching and declared:

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

In that moment, John was identifying Jesus as the fulfillment of the Passover promise.

Passover and the Last Supper

God commanded that Passover be observed “throughout your generations” (Exodus 12:14). He called it an “everlasting ordinance,” reminding His people to remember His deliverance.

When Jesus gathered with His disciples for the Last Supper, they were celebrating the Passover meal together. During that meal, Jesus revealed the deeper meaning of what they had been observing for centuries.

As He broke the unleavened bread, He told His disciples that the bread represented His body, which would soon be broken for them.

Then, He lifted a cup of wine. In the traditional Passover Seder, four cups are shared, each representing a promise. Jesus specifically lifted the third cup—the Cup of Redemption.

In doing so, He was declaring that His sacrifice would bring the redemption that Passover had foreshadowed for generations.

For centuries, the Jewish people had been faithfully observing Passover without fully realizing what it ultimately pointed toward. God had been preparing them to recognize the Messiah.

The Hidden Picture in the Passover Meal

Many elements of the Passover Seder reveal powerful symbolism pointing to Jesus.

One example is the afikomen, a piece of unleavened bread that is broken, wrapped, and hidden away during the meal before later being brought back to the table. This tradition beautifully reflects what would happen to Jesus.

His body would be broken, pierced, and buried. Yet He would not remain hidden forever. Through His resurrection, He would be revealed again.

Even in these ancient traditions, God was painting a picture of the death and resurrection of His Son. Passover was not only a remembrance—it was a prophetic rehearsal.

Leaving Egypt Behind

At the first Passover, the Israelites were instructed to eat the lamb fully dressed for travel. They were to have their sandals on their feet, their staffs in their hands, and their belongings prepared. They were to eat quickly, ready to leave Egypt behind.

The lamb would provide both their deliverance and their strength as they began their journey toward freedom.

This is another powerful picture of the Christian life.

Through the sacrifice of Jesus, believers are delivered from the bondage of sin and the systems of this world. His body gives us spiritual strength, and His blood provides forgiveness and redemption. Just as Israel left Egypt, believers are called to leave behind the bondage of the past and walk in the new life God provides.

Five Powerful Passover Promises

In Exodus 6:6–8, God gave the children of Israel five promises connected to their deliverance:

1. I will bring you out from under the burdens of Egypt.
2. I will deliver you from slavery.
3. I will redeem you with power and mighty acts.
4. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God.
5. I will bring you into the land I promised to your fathers.

These promises reveal God’s heart for His people.

And through Jesus Christ, these same spiritual realities become available to believers today.

It is Jesus who brings us out from under the burdens of the world.
It is Jesus who delivers us from bondage.
It is Jesus who redeems us and makes us children of God.
And it is Jesus who leads us into the purpose and future God has prepared for us.

Why Passover Still Matters

Understanding Passover helps us see the Bible as one continuous story of redemption. From the lamb in Exodus to the cross of Christ, God was revealing His plan to rescue humanity and restore us to Himself.

When we remember the meaning of Passover, we celebrate the incredible sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf and the freedom He purchased through His blood. The story of Passover reminds us that God is faithful to His promises.

And through Jesus—the Lamb of God—we have been given forgiveness, redemption, and new life.

Have you applied His blood to the doorposts of your heart today?

God bless you,

David Cerullo