Passover is much more than most Christians could ever imagine.
Many Christians think of Passover as simply “a Jewish holiday or holy day,” but its significance runs far deeper. As Rabbi Schneider explains, “Passover is central to the faith of New Testament or New Covenant believers.”
Passover, in its essence, commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. God instructed each family to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood to their doorposts, a sign of obedience to His command. The blood served as a mark of protection, sparing them from the final plague. This powerful symbol of salvation through sacrifice is foundational for understanding Jesus’ role as the ultimate Passover Lamb.
As Christians, we believe that Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross mirrors this ancient act, offering us spiritual freedom and protection from sin’s ultimate consequence—death.
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From the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the Passover imagery is clear. “John the Baptist identified Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world’” when he saw the Holy Spirit descend on Him at the Jordan. This wasn’t just poetic language—it was prophetic: “This is Passover language,” Schneider says.
Passover is not just a historical event but a continual spiritual practice that shapes the believer’s understanding of Jesus’ redemptive work. In the Gospels, Jesus’ words and actions during the Passover meal reflect the deeper fulfillment of the Old Testament promises. By becoming the true Passover Lamb, Jesus not only fulfilled the symbolism of the sacrifice but offered a new covenant for all who believe in Him. This deep connection to the Old Testament roots of faith makes Passover essential for understanding the fullness of Jesus’ mission.
Schneider explains how Jesus wasn’t crucified at a random time. “He could have been crucified any day of the year,” but “Yeshua slipped away because His time had not yet come.” That time was Passover. “Why? Because he is ultimate fulfillment of it.”
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus is identified “28 times as the Lamb of God.” Rabbi Schneider explains that the term “lamb” isn’t meant to evoke a soft or sentimental image: “They’re connecting Yeshua to the lamb because Yeshua fulfilled the ancient Passover lamb that was sacrificed almost 3500 years ago.”
The sacrifice of Jesus fulfills the deepest longing of the Old Testament: to restore humanity’s broken relationship with God. The lamb’s blood that once covered the Israelites’ doorposts now covers the believer’s heart. The sacrifice of the lamb represented the price of freedom, and through Jesus, that price has been eternally paid for every believer. This momentous event not only signifies the end of the old sacrificial system but introduces the once-for-all perfect sacrifice through Christ.
Jesus Himself instituted what we now call Communion during a Passover meal. The bread and wine are no longer just symbols of the Exodus, but now represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Lamb of God. Communion is a way we can reflect on the full significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection while embracing the reality that through Him, we experience a new covenant of grace.
But the message of Passover isn’t just historical—it’s deeply personal. “The blood in the basin wasn’t enough to save anybody.” Just as the Israelites had to apply the blood to their homes, “we have to take that blood and personally apply it over our own hearts,” says Schneider.
This idea of personal application is essential for salvation. The blood of the Lamb, symbolizing Jesus’ sacrifice, must be personally appropriated. This requires more than just acknowledging Jesus as the Savior—it means receiving His forgiveness into our lives, allowing His sacrifice to transform our hearts. It’s an intimate act of faith, where each individual claims the promise of salvation for themselves.
“We need to bring Jesus near. We need to cover ourself in his blood by eating his flesh and drinking his blood, which means he is the one that we’re drawing from in life,” Schneider says.
In this season, Rabbi Schneider encourages believers to “take this time of year seriously,” perhaps even to “have a family meal in your home” using a traditional Haggadah.
For believers today, Passover is not only a time to remember but to reflect on the ongoing relationship with Christ, who remains the sacrificial Lamb.
Celebrating Passover reminds Christians of the ultimate freedom found in Jesus and encourages them to make His sacrifice a central part of their spiritual lives. As Rabbi Schneider suggests, “take this time of year seriously” and consider how the significance of Passover can deepen your faith.
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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
