Yahshua had a specific goal: to save and renew the people of Israel. He said that he came just for the "lost sheep of the house Israel," showing his commitment to bringing them back to their faith and renewing their special agreement with Yah. This goal reached its highest point during Passover when Yahshua gave up his life at Calvary. This wasn't just an event in history; it was the key moment of Yah's big plan, which the Hebrew Scriptures had talked about for a long time.
Passover, a festival commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage through the protective sign of the lamb's blood to the doorposts and lintels of Israelite homes, becomes the backdrop for Yahshua's ultimate sacrifice. Just as the Passover lamb's blood saved the Israelites, Yahshua, the true Passover Lamb, sheds his blood for the spiritual salvation of Israel. His death and resurrection are not only about saving Israel from their sins but also about restoring them to a right relationship with Yah, renewing the deep bonds of their ancient covenant.
However, Yahshua's mission, while initially focused on Israel, also opens the way for all nations to come into a relationship with Yah through faith in him. This expansion of the covenant does not replace Yahshua's original intent but fulfills it in a broader sense. Paul, a key figure in the early believing assembly, explains this beautifully. He suggests that Israel's hesitation to embrace Yahshua as Messiah ironically paved the way for the Gentiles to enter into Yah's covenant. Yet, this inclusion of the Gentiles is also part of Yah's plan to ultimately bring Israel back into the fold, fully redeemed and restored.
In essence, Yahshua’s act of sacrifice at Passover is a dual fulfillment: it is the means by which he seeks to redeem Israel, and it also serves as the foundation for extending Yah's salvation to the entire world. The imagery of Passover—deliverance, salvation, and the shedding of the lamb's blood for protection—becomes rich with new meaning. Yahshua embodies the true Passover Lamb, whose blood is shed not just for the physical deliverance of a nation from slavery but for the spiritual liberation of all humanity from sin.
Yahshua's sacrifice changed the traditional celebration of Passover. It retains its historical significance as a remembrance of Israel's deliverance, while also celebrating the new covenant established through Yahshua, marking the ultimate redemption and restoration not only of Israel but of all who come to faith in him. In this way, Yahshua's mission reflects the depth of Yah's love and the breadth of His plan for redemption—a plan that is both specific to Israel and universally inclusive, offering salvation to all the nations of the earth.
Building on the understanding of Yahshua as the true Passover Lamb, it’s essential for Israelites today to keep celebrating Passover, but with a shift in focus. The traditional Passover, which remembers Israel's deliverance from Egypt and the angel of death passing over their homes, lays a strong historical foundation. However, Yahshua's sacrifice during Passover introduces a new and deeper meaning to this celebration.
Yahshua's death on the cross during Passover transforms the essence of the festival. While the original Passover celebrated Israel's physical liberation from slavery, the celebration now—centered on Yahshua’s sacrifice—marks spiritual liberation from sin and eternal death. For those who believe in Yahshua, the focus moves from recalling the physical protection in Egypt to celebrating spiritual protection through Yahshua's blood, which saves them from the ultimate consequence of sin: eternal separation from Yah.
Yahshua himself gave this shift in focus a clear commandment during the Last Supper, a Passover meal, when he said, "Do this in remembrance of me." With these words, Yahshua instructed his followers to continue celebrating Passover but to put him at the center of the celebration, rather than the events in Egypt. This doesn’t take away from the original celebration but rather fulfills and completes its meaning. The scripture "the soul that sins, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20) highlights the serious consequences of sin, yet in Yahshua, believers find a Passover Lamb whose blood provides protection not just from temporary judgment but from eternal death. Yahshua’s sacrifice covers believers, ensuring that they are spared from the judgment for sin, echoing the protection the lamb's blood provided in Egypt.
Therefore, for Israelites today, continuing to celebrate Passover with Yahshua at the center isn't just about remembering a past event. It's a vibrant celebration of ongoing spiritual salvation and protection. This celebration underscores Yah's unending love and the comprehensive redemption plan that extends from the Exodus out of Egypt to the cross at Calvary and beyond.
Seeing Passover in light of Yahshua's sacrifice allows believers to reconnect with their roots while fully embracing the salvation Yah offers through His Son. It serves as a reminder of Yah’s sovereignty, His care for His people, and the ultimate victory over sin and death achieved through Yahshua, the true Passover Lamb. In this way, Passover remains a crucial observance for Israelites, linking the past with the present and pointing to the eternal redemption promised to all who believe, with Yahshua's command to "do this in remembrance of me" guiding the way forward.
The story of Passover, from the ancient sacrifice of the lamb to Yahshua's own sacrifice, teaches us about deliverance and redemption. Yahshua's command to "Do this in remembrance of me" during the Last Supper, which was a Passover meal, highlights the importance of celebrating Passover for believers. This instruction from Yahshua makes it clear: observing Passover is a way to remember His sacrifice for us. The image of the lamb on the altar, especially when seen in the light of Yahshua's teachings, reminds us of Yah's provision and the sacrifice that brings us redemption. Celebrating Passover is not just following a tradition; it's an act of faith that connects us to Yahshua's love and sacrifice. That's why Yahshua expects and commands us to keep Passover, as it's a key part of our faith and remembrance of what He has done for us.
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