What is Passover?

    Passover, the annual feast of the Jews commemorating the passing over or sparing of the Children of Israel on the night when the angel of God killed every firstborn of the Egyptians. When the Israelites were about to be brought out of Egypt, the word of the Lord came to Moses and Aaron to prepare the people for their departure. On the tenth day of the month of Abib, every household was commanded to secure a male lamb without blemish and kill it in the evening of the fourteenth day. The blood was to be sprinkled on both door posts and on the lintel as a sign for the angel to pass over the houses so marked. The lamb was to be roasted with fire and hastily eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. None of it was to be left. While they ate, they were required to have their loins girded, their shoes on their feet and their staffs in their hands (Exodus 12:1-4).
     Moses and Aaron were commanded to instruct the Children of Irael concerning the reasons for these ceremonials, and to declare that the Passover was to be an ordinance forever to be observed with great solemnity and reverance. They were further commanded that their descendants should be similarly taught the meaning of service from generation to generation. (Exodus 12:26,27; 13:14-16).
     In New Testament times the Passover lamb was taken by a representative of the family to the temple to be slain by the priests. After the blood had been properly disposed of and the fat offered, the dressed lamb was taken back home, raosted, and eaten with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. With it were drunk four cups of wine. The blessing said over the first cup appears to be reflected in the act of Jesus, blessing the cup at the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:17). Paul stated that Christ is our Passover sacrificed for us (1st Corinthians 5:17).