Passover and the Lord's Supper

This week's Torah portion, Pesach פֶּסַח (Passover), based on Exodus 13:17–15:26, continues to explore the Biblical Passover and how it should be observed by modern believers. This year the Biblical Passover, celebrated on the Jewish calendar from the 15th day of Nisan until the end of the 21st day of that month, happens to align with the secular (or Christian) celebration of Easter in 2026. What are the differences between these two observances? For believers in Christ the essence is similar: both remember God's redemption. The connection is clear when Jesus Himself celebrated Passover and, in doing so, inaugurated a new phase of what had been established millennia earlier. One event does not exclude the other; both commemorate how Adonai, through the blood of the sacrificial lamb, saved His people from death. (A helpful distinction: God provides the way; the “chosen” are those who believe and obey.)

Passover was a ritual prescribed by God through Moses to spare Israel from the plague that would kill each household’s firstborn. God’s instructions read:

"...all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." Exodus 12:6b,7,12,&13

The instructions made little human sense, yet the Israelites obeyed by faith. They have continued that memorial tradition to this day. After Christ’s arrival, many of these symbols find fulfillment in Him. He is the Lamb of God whose blood seals the new covenant prophesied in Jeremiah 31. At the Passover meal that became the Lord’s Supper, Jesus said:

"Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" Matthew 26:27-28

The elements of the Lord's Supper is the fulfilment of the elements of Jewish Passover Seder.

Ask a practicing Jewish believer what Passover means and they will tell you it is a memorial commanded by God so the deliverance from bondage in Egypt will be remembered and passed to future generations. Exodus 12 instructs Israel to observe the festival as a perpetual ordinance and to explain its meaning to their children:

"This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance. Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’ Then the people bowed down and worshiped." Exodus 12:14&24-27

However, what and why God did these things are not always clear even to the Jews who observe them. In addition, many traditions were added by the oral Torah over generations. Even the additions were used by God to point toward His Son and His plan of salvation. For example, the aphikoman (אֲפִיקִימוֹן) — a word borrowed from Greek (ἐπικώμιον) — is part of the seder tradition. Three matzot are placed on the table; the middle one is broken, wrapped in linen, hidden, and later sought by the children, who receive a gift when they find it. Many observe this custom to engage children and to symbolize redemption. From a Christian perspective, additional layers of meaning emerge: the three matzot can suggest the Trinity; the broken, wrapped, hidden, and recovered matzah points to Yeshua — broken, buried, wrapped, risen, and given as a gift to those who find Him. The related Greek verb aphikomen (ἀφικόμην) — “I have arrived” or “I came” — adds a further wordplay consistent with arrival and fulfillment.

Below are common parallels between the Jewish Passover memorial and Christian understanding:

Jewish Passover Seder Memorial Symbol	Christian Passover Memorial Symbol
Egypt - The place the Israelites were oppressed, enslaved and delivered from	World - The place anyone who believes were oppressed, enslaved by sin, and delivered from
Pharaoh - The leader of Egypt who controlled the people and didn't want to relinquish his control over God's people	Satan - The leader of the World who controlled the people and didn't want to relinquish his control over God's people (past tense for believers but, present tense for the lost)
Tenth plague - Death of the firstborn for all who do not believe and obey God's instructions for deliverance	Second death - Death of the soul of all who do not believe and obey God's instructions for deliverance
Passover lamb's blood - The sign that delivers people from death	Christ's blood (the Lamb of God) - The sign that delivers people from the second death
All the lamb MUST be consumed before the next day (you can't only eat the parts you like)	All God's WORD (Jesus) and instructions MUST be accepted and obeyed (you can't pick and choose to do only parts you like)
People had to leave Egypt and go to the desert the next day and serve God in the desert	We MUST leave the World and its ways behind and follow and serve God in a "spiritual desert" - set apart
Israelites headed to a promised land while following God who was leading them as a pillar of cloud or fire	We MUST follow Jesus until we enter the Kingdom of God (either until we die or when Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth)
They are to celebrate this as a memorial forever to honor and remember God who delivered them	We are to celebrate the Lord's supper as a memorial until He returns

These parallels show how the Old Testament memorial finds fuller meaning in the New Testament revelation. The Lord’s Supper can be seen as the fulfillment of Passover. Whether one observes the Jewish Passover or the Christian Lord’s Supper, both celebrate God’s deliverance through the blood of the Lamb. God’s plan, woven through Scripture and tradition, honors Yeshua as Messiah; many today anticipate a fuller recognition of Him among the Jewish people.

My challenge to you this week is to dig deeper into this topic as you celebrate this important event. Investigate these claims and, as you learn the truth, share it with other believers so that Jesus' sacrifice can be known by all. I love you all! Shalom ve-shavuah tov!