What the Bible says about Pascha
(From Forerunner Commentary)
The blood was a sign to the death angel to "pass over" their homes when it went through Egypt. Because of it, Israel's firstborn were saved, while Egypt's firstborn died.
The yearly ritual of Passover represents the death of Jesus Christ, who was God in the flesh. The innocent lamb had to be without blemish because it represented the only Man who ever lived a perfect, sinless life. Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God who gave His life and shed His blood so that we may be saved from eternal death by paying the penalty for our sins. Through faith in His sacrifice, we receive forgiveness of sin and come into a right relationship with God. Because His life was worth more than all human life combined, His sacrifice paid the price for all sin. He redeemed us from the penalty that the breaking of God's law imposes and freed us to live righteously.
Earl L. Henn
Holy Days: PassoverRelated Topics: Christ's Sacrifice | Christ's Sacrifice, Cost of | Forgiveness | Jesus Christ as Passover | Jesus Christ as Redeemer | Jesus Christ's Sacrifice | Lamb of God | Lamb Symbolism | Pascha | Passover | Passover as Memorial of Christ's Death | Redeemer | Redemption | Redemption Price | Relationship with God
It is evident the New Testament church of God continued to keep the Passover yearly. Some translations grossly mistranslate the Greek word pascha as "Easter." It always means "Passover."
Earl L. Henn
Holy Days: PassoverRelated Topics: Easter | Pascha | Passover | Passover as Annual Observance | Passover as Memorial of Christ's Death
Jesus lay dead and buried three days and three nights. His resurrection is the foundation of our faith, and His glorification is God's pledge to us that there is hope for our future. I Peter 1:20 emphasizes that "He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world" to be that sacrifice. That is not merely foresight, that is planning! God's plan included redemption from the very beginning.
Verse 19 stresses the value of His sacrifice by using the word "precious," translated "honor" three times in chapters 2 and 3. The Greek word means "to place a value upon," and this is exactly what we are to do in preparation for Passover! We are to assess the value of His sacrifice to us personally. What would you be willing to pay for His sacrifice?
Verse 18 emphasizes "knowing." The Christian lives his life knowing the redemption Christ accomplished. The price of our redemption is the value we place on the Life given for our forgiveness. Our former lives were "aimless" because of the value we placed on possessions and our own satisfaction. Now our lives have direction because we count Christ's sacrifice as priceless!
John W. Ritenbaugh
Christ, Our PassoverRelated Topics: Christ's Sacrifice | Christ's Sacrifice, Cost of | From the Foundation of the World | Jesus Christ as Passover | Jesus Christ as Redeemer | Jesus Christ's Sacrifice | Pascha | Passover | Passover as Memorial of Christ's Death | Redeemer | Redemption | Redemption Price | Resurrection of Christ | Sign of Jonah