Passover (Pesach): The Feast of Redemption
Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most significant feasts in the biblical calendar and marks the beginning of the spring feasts. It is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (Leviticus 23:5). This feast commemorates the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, when the blood of the Passover lamb was applied to their doorposts, protecting them from the final plague that Yehovah sent upon Egypt—the death of the firstborn (Exodus 12). For believers in Yeshua, this feast also serves as a powerful prophetic picture of His sacrificial death as the Lamb of God (John 1:29) and His atoning blood that covers and redeems us from sin and death (1 Corinthians 5:7).
The Mandate for Men to Appear
The Torah commands that all Israelite males appear before Yehovah at three specific feasts each year: Passover (Pesach), Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles) (Deuteronomy 16:16). These three feasts are considered pilgrimage feasts, during which the men of Israel, along with their families, were required to travel to Jerusalem to present themselves at the Temple and bring offerings before Yehovah.
In ancient times, sacrifices and offerings were made during Passover at the Temple in Jerusalem. The lamb, which had to be without blemish, was slaughtered as a communal sacrifice. However, with the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, animal sacrifices ceased. This, however, does not nullify the command to observe the feast; instead, it has taken on a different dimension, especially for those in Messiah Yeshua.
Our Bodies as the Temple
With no physical temple standing today, it is important to remember the scriptural principle that our bodies are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The sacrificial system of the Temple was a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice made by Yeshua. His death on the cross fulfilled the requirements of the Passover lamb, as He became the once-for-all atonement for sin (Hebrews 10:12). As believers, we no longer need to offer animal sacrifices, but we are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Yehovah (Romans 12:1).
Keeping the Feast Today
Though we no longer bring physical sacrifices to the Temple, the command to keep the appointed times remains. Yeshua Himself kept the feasts, and we are instructed to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). Passover, like the other feasts, should be observed at its appointed time, not out of legalism, but as a way to honor Yehovah’s divine calendar and to enter into the prophetic understanding of His plan of redemption.
For modern-day believers, keeping Passover means gathering together to recount the Exodus story, partaking in the symbolic meal, and most importantly, remembering Yeshua’s sacrifice. Traditionally, a seder meal is shared, involving unleavened bread (matzah) and wine, representing Yeshua’s body and blood, in remembrance of the covenant He established with His disciples (Luke 22:19-20).
Passover in the Millennium and Beyond
Scripture tells us that the observance of Yehovah’s feasts will continue in the Messianic age, or the Millennial Kingdom, and beyond. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of a future temple, and the reinstatement of the feasts, including Passover, in the coming Kingdom (Ezekiel 45:21-25). This indicates that these appointed times are not only for this present age but will have ongoing significance when Yeshua reigns as King in Jerusalem.
Zechariah 14:16-19 also highlights that nations will be required to observe the Feast of Tabernacles in the Millennial Kingdom. Though Passover is not specifically mentioned in that passage, it is clear that the feasts continue to hold an essential place in Yehovah’s redemptive plan, and we are to practice them now as preparation for what is to come.
A Practice of Faithfulness
As we practice keeping these appointed times, we are aligning ourselves with Yehovah’s calendar and prophetic purposes. Observing the Passover in the post-Temple era serves as a memorial of both the physical and spiritual deliverance Yehovah has provided. It reminds us of Yeshua’s sacrifice and the future hope of redemption when He returns. By doing so, we prepare ourselves for what is expected of us in the coming Millennial Kingdom and demonstrate our faithfulness to Yehovah’s commandments in anticipation of His reign.
In keeping the feasts today, we are rehearsing for the greater fulfillment that will come when Yeshua returns. Just as Passover was fulfilled by His first coming, the remaining fall feasts will be fulfilled by His second coming. Observing Passover is an act of faith, looking back at Yeshua’s redemptive work and forward to the culmination of His plan.
Key Scriptures:
- Exodus 12 – The Institution of Passover.
- Leviticus 23:5 – Command to observe Passover.
- Deuteronomy 16:16 – Command for all males to appear at the Temple.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 – Yeshua as our Passover Lamb.
- Ezekiel 45:21-25 – Observance of Passover in the Millennial Kingdom.
- Zechariah 14:16-19 – The Feasts in the Millennial Kingdom.
In conclusion, keeping the Passover today is an important practice for those who follow Yeshua. While we no longer bring physical sacrifices, we honor the spirit of the feast, acknowledging Yeshua as our Passover Lamb, and look forward to His return when all things will be fulfilled. By faithfully observing the appointed times, we prepare for what is to come and participate in Yehovah’s ongoing plan of redemption.