The Bible is extraordinarily clear that Jesus is our Passover Lamb and the ultimate fulfillment of what the Lord instituted in the Old Testament. Why is this so significant?
In Leviticus 23, God outlines the various feasts of the Lord for the children of Israel, and none is without significance. In fact, every one of these feasts—what the Bible calls “holy convocations”—has incredible significance for all believers today, whether Jews or Gentiles.
Here is a very brief snapshot of these holy days and feasts and their eternal significance:
- The Sabbath: a holy day of solemn rest, a principle that applies to all believers today and forever (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15).
- The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread: Jesus is our Passover, sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7), and He was crucified on the actual day of Passover. In response, all believers are to live “unleavened” lives, holy to the Lord, in sincerity, righteousness and truth (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).
- The Feast of Firstfruits: Jesus was raised from the dead and became the “firstfruits” of all who will have died in the Lord, giving us hope for eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). He was raised from the dead on the very day the Jews were observing the Feast of Firstfruits, the day after the first Sabbath following Passover.
- The Feast of Weeks: also called Pentecost, the very day the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers and the New Testament Church was birthed (Acts 2).
- The Feast of Trumpets: signifying the second coming of Jesus, a day when “no one knows the day or the hour” and a trumpet will sound, signaling both the return of the Lord and the gathering of all believers (Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Corinthians 15:50-52).
- The Day of Atonement: Jesus, our High Priest, fulfilled this holy day, having made atonement for us in His own blood and granting us access into the very presence of God (Hebrews 9:6-16; Hebrews 10:11-14).
- The Feast of Tabernacles: Jesus, both before and during the feast, made statements indicating He is the High Priest of this holy convocation and thus the Messiah (John 7:1, 37-42). He promised to send the Holy Spirit to dwell within believers living en route to the promised land of His eternal presence and promises.
Let’s take a closer look at the significance of Passover.
Christ, Our Passover
“For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7, NKJV)
Jesus is our Passover Lamb and the ultimate fulfillment of the Feast of Passover. Moreover, there is compelling evidence Jesus fulfilled the Passover on the actual days mentioned by God Himself when He instituted the original Passover. Though the dates are in no way vital, and though not all scholars agree on the specific dates, it is a very interesting study. Click here to view a timeline.
Regarding the Passover, God clearly designated two specific dates, each having significance. These dates were the tenth and fourteenth days of the first Jewish month, known as Abib/Nisan (Exodus 12:2-3, 6). Here is the significance:
God gave Moses and the children of Israel very clear instructions. On the tenth day of the first month, every family must select a Passover lamb. Many scholars believe that Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, on the tenth day of the first month, the very day a Passover lamb must be selected. And on the day Jesus entered Jerusalem, a great multitude took palm branches and went out to meet Him. They cried out a Messianic declaration, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Isreal” (John 12:12-13). On that day, Jesus, the Passover Lamb, was clearly displayed to the world, a beautiful fulfillment of God’s instructions regarding the Passover lamb. Today, Christians observe the day as Palm Sunday, and millions have received Jesus as their Passover Lamb. May the Church continue presenting Jesus to the world, enabling many more to receive and accept who He is and what He has done.
Then God stated that on the fourteenth day, the Passover lamb must be killed. According to the gospels, Jesus was crucified on the same day as the Passover, the fourteenth day of Nisan. His crucifixion occurred at the third hour (9 a.m.), and He died at the ninth hour (3 p.m.), coinciding with the Preparation Day for the Sabbath (Friday). The precise timing of Jesus’ crucifixion is extraordinary when viewed in the context of Passover. While the chief priests were busy preparing to sacrifice the Passover lambs, Jesus was nailed to the cross. Six hours later, as the priests began killing the Passover lambs, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “It is finished,” and died as the true Passover Lamb. What an extraordinary—and precise—fulfillment of Bible prophecy! Today, Christians all over the world observe the day as Good Friday.
Here is something important to remember: Though some of the historical dates and times may not be crystal clear above dispute, the Bible is extraordinarily clear that Jesus is indeed our Passover Lamb and the ultimate fulfillment of what God Himself instituted in Exodus 12. “For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7, NKJV).
Why is this so significant?
Redemption
God revealed something quite extraordinary immediately following the original Passover. While the children of Israel were observing the Passover and preparing to depart from Egypt, God said, “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine” (Exodus 13:2), and “…set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have, the males shall be the Lord’s. But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem” (vs 13).
What is the significance? Most often, when this portion of Scripture is explained, it is described merely as a tithing principle. While the tithing principle is indeed present, the direct context relates to the Passover. In fact, God revisited this theme in Exodus 34, once again within the context of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Exodus 34:18-20 says, “The Feast of Unleavened Bread you shall keep. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, in the appointed time of the month of Abib (or Nisan); for in the month of Abib you came out of Egypt. All that open the womb are mine, and every male firstborn among your livestock whether ox or sheep. But the firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb. And if you will not redeem him, then you shall break his neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem.”
The context is a principle relating specifically to the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. But what is the significance, and what does this have to do with Jesus? Simply put, it is all about redemption. Let’s break it down.
The Hebrew word for redemption means to redeem, to buy, to cause the freedom or release of a person or subject from bondage or ownership, to pay off debt. In some contexts, redemption has a special focus on salvation and relationship to the Lord as a person now owned by God, the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. [1]
In this passage, God clearly stated how redemption works. Notice, “All that open the womb are mine, and every male firstborn among your livestock whether ox or sheep. But [here’s the contrast] the firstborn of a donkey [which is an unclean animal] you shall redeem with a lamb. And if you will not redeem him, then you shall break his neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem.” (Exodus 34:19-20).
God clearly stated that an ox or a lamb is an acceptable offering and sacrifice, but not a donkey. It is an unclean animal, unfit for a sacrifice. But interestingly, God had no desire for the donkey to die. In fact, He clearly stated the donkey may be redeemed by a lamb. In other words, to redeem the donkey and let it live freely, a lamb must die in its place. However, if the donkey is not redeemed and a lamb does not die in its place, you shall break its neck. In other words, unless redeemed by a lamb, the donkey must—and will—die. What does this have to do with Jesus?
Christ, Our Redeemer
“For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
John the Baptist said about Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and again, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (vs. 36). Jesus is called the Lamb of God throughout Scripture, including in the book of Revelation. Truly, Jesus is the Lamb of God.
Now think about the triumphal entry. All four gospels record that when Jesus, the Lamb of God, was riding into the city of Jerusalem on the very week He would be crucified, He was riding on—you guessed it—a donkey! Think about it! The Lamb of God riding on a donkey! Coincidence? Not a chance! In quoting Zechariah 9:9, Matthew’s gospel says, “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, lowly and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.'” This was intentionally orchestrated by God. What is the significance? In light of Exodus 13 and 34, the picture is beautiful: The Lamb of God will pay the price to redeem mankind! Jesus Himself, our Passover Lamb, will die in place of a people born in sin—to redeem us! Here are just a few of the many Scriptures that secure this truth:
Titus 3:13-14 says, “Jesus Christ . . . gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people.”
1 Peter 1:18-19 says it this way (and may it hit your heart and spirit in a profound way), “. . . you were redeemed, not with corruptible things like silver or gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot.” This is a remarkable description matching perfectly the qualifications God outlined in Exodus 12:5, “Your lamb shall be without blemish.”
It doesn’t get much more clear than that! We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ—as a lamb without blemish. Amen!
Moreover, the book of Revelation gives us a glimpse into the reality of worship in heaven by those who were redeemed by Jesus. They fall down before the Lord and sing, “You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood…” (Revelation 5:9).
And yet—as wonderful and remarkable as this is—there is another side to this. One that brings a sobering reality. Remember, God said that if the donkey is not redeemed, its neck must be broken. In other words, the donkey will die if not redeemed. And every person who does not receive the free gift of redemption through the blood of Jesus will also die. John 3:16 states both sides very clearly, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” The free gift of redemption—Jesus dying in our place—is available to everyone, but the gift must be believed, received, and accepted. Otherwise, that person will die in their sin. They will perish and live eternally in hell because they did not accept Jesus as their substitute for redemption. But to those who will believe and receive the free gift of redemption through Jesus, will have eternal life. Eternal life is real! We will either spend it in heaven or we will spend it in torment.
Jesus, knowing we were all born in sin, came and died in our place to redeem us, so that none of us will have to perish but that all can spend eternity with Him. He is the Passover Lamb, and He has redeemed us!
Will you accept Him as the fulfillment of your Passover Lamb?
Receiving Jesus as Your Lord and Savior
If you have not made Jesus the Lord of your life—or perhaps you said a prayer some time ago, but for one reason or another you find yourself not truly living for the Lord—now is the time to make the change and fully accept what Jesus has provided for you. He already died in your place. All you need to do now is personally respond. The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. This simply means you need to believe that Jesus is alive and confess with your mouth that He is Lord.
It’s time to receive His free gift of redemption. Pray this prayer aloud and mean it in your heart:
Dear God, thank You for tugging at my heart today. You have been trying to get my attention because you love me. I confess to You that I have sinned and I need forgiveness. I believe in You and Your Son Jesus. I believe in my heart that He died in my place to redeem me and give me eternal life. I believe You raised Him from the dead and that He is alive today. I confess today that Jesus is Lord. I give my life to Him. I choose this day to live for Jesus. I know I’m not perfect and I may make mistakes, but I know that you love me and will help me become the person you have called me to be. I love you. From this moment forward, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer for the first time or if you made a recommitment to the Lord, this is not the end. This is the beginning. The beginning of a brand new life. Find a good, solid, Bible-teaching church to attend. Buy a Bible and begin reading it. The Gospel of John is a good place to start. Attend Bible studies. Pray. Make friends with those who will encourage you in your walk with God. And most importantly, continue to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
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- James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
Tristan Fenholt 
