8 Unknown Lessons from Passover

Every year, we keep the Passover to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (properly known as Yahshua) and Yahweh the Most High to redeem us from the penalty of sin. However, Passover holds powerful lessons and analogies that help us better understand the process of God’s salvation for all mankind. Thus, in this blog, let me share with you 8 of the most important and little-known lessons from the Passover.

What is the Passover?

The Passover isn’t just a historical event—it’s a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and redemption that resonates throughout time. In the Old Testament, we see how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and the Passover marks this pivotal moment of liberation.

In Exodus 12, God gives the Israelites detailed instructions for observing the Passover, emphasizing the importance of using a lamb without blemish as a sacrifice. This unblemished lamb symbolizes purity and foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

The parallels between the Old and New Testaments are striking. Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from death, so the shed blood of Jesus offers forgiveness and redemption for all who believe. Hebrews 9:22 reminds us that forgiveness of sins comes only through the shedding of blood—a truth echoed in Ephesians 1:7, which speaks of redemption through Christ’s blood and the riches of His grace.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 5:7 emphasize that Jesus Christ is our Passover lamb, sacrificed to save us from the penalty of sin. Just as the Israelite firstborns were spared from death by the blood of the lamb, Christians are saved from eternal death by the sacrificial blood of our Savior.

The Passover isn’t just a historical event—it’s a profound symbol of God’s love and salvation, reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice that brings forgiveness and eternal life.

Lesson no. 1: the Passover signifies a new beginning.

Exodus 12:1-2 tells us:

​¹ Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, ² “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.

The Israelites were about to experience something that is so dramatic. Literally, their lives would change. God was saying, “I’m going to do something new, so new that it will affect how you reckon time. Thus, this month would be your first month.

Now, isn’t it interesting that the Passover took place in the first month? This is actually a new beginning for the Israelites. All those years of being slaves will now come to an end as they will leave Egypt.

Similarly, for us as New Covenant Christians, the significance of the Passover extends beyond history—it represents a new beginning for all who believe. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are set free from the bondage of sin and death. The Passover becomes our personal declaration of liberation, ushering us into a new way of life—a journey towards eternal life.

Lesson no. 2: We must cherish the lamb

We read in Exodus 12:3:

 ³ Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.

In Exodus 12:3, God instructs Moses to tell all the congregation of Israel to select a lamb on the tenth day of the month for the upcoming Passover. This detail might seem curious at first glance—why choose the lamb four days before the Passover on the fourteenth?

The significance lies in those four days. During this time, the chosen lamb would dwell among the family, becoming a cherished part of their household. As they cared for the lamb, feeding it and providing water, a bond would inevitably form between the family and the lamb.

God’s intention was to deepen the Israelites’ understanding of the sacrifice they were about to make. The lamb wasn’t just any lamb—it represented something far greater. By spending those four days with the lamb, the Israelites would come to appreciate its value and significance in a personal way.

In a similar vein, God invites us to experience a glimpse of the love He has for His Son, Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites cared for the lamb, God desires for us to understand the depth of His love for Jesus, who was the ultimate sacrificial Lamb. Though our understanding may be limited, even a small glimpse of this love can transform our hearts and deepen our appreciation for the sacrifice made on our behalf.

Lesson no. 3: The Lamb represents the Messiah

We read in Exodus 12:5:

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.

The Israelites are not going to simply choose any lamb. It must meet crucial criteria. It must be a male lamb and should be of the first year. Most importantly, it must be without blemish — meaning, it has no injuries, handicaps, or defects.

Why is this important? It is because of what the lamb symbolizes. It symbolizes the innocence of Jesus Christ. It symbolizes the perfect and sinless life of our Savior, making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

The Bible confirms the sinless life of Christ in the following verses:

1 Peter 2:21-22

²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ²² “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth.”

1 John 3:5

⁵ And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

Matthew 5:48

⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

If Christ has sinned even once or in any slightest sense, we wouldn’t have any savior. But thank God for His sinless life. He has become the lamb who died in our place.

Lesson no. 4: We must always remember the sacrifice of Jesus

Exodus 12:6-7 tells us:

⁶ Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. ⁷ And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. 

Have you ever asked yourself, why did they brush the blood on the door? Why not on the window? How about the pillar? Perhaps, on the roof? Why does it have to be on the doorposts and lintel of the house?

I believe it has to do with the significance of the door. The door serves as the portal that brings you in and out of your dwelling place. Every time you need to rest, you enter through the door. Every time you need to perform your activities such as work and going to school, you have to go out through the door.

This tells us that every time you go out or come in through the door, you see the blood on the door. This reminds you of the great sacrifice that Jesus has made for you and me!

Today, the Jews put a mezuzah on their doorposts. It is like a sacred scroll wherein the Shema is written. It reminds them of their responsibility and accountability to God.

In the same way, we must always remember the sacrifice of Yahshua for our lives. When we constantly think of His sacrifice, we become thankful. We become more conscious of how we should live our lives. We bear in mind that we are already bought with a price and that the life we live is not our own, but we live in Christ!

Lesson no. 5: We must accept Christ wholeheartedly

We read in Exodus 12:8-10:

Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. ⁹ Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. ¹⁰ You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. 

In Exodus 12:8-10, God provides detailed instructions for the preparation and consumption of the Passover lamb. One notable aspect is that the entire lamb must be eaten, roasted in fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Furthermore, any leftover portions must be burned with fire and not kept until morning.

This commandment carries a profound spiritual lesson for us today. Just as the Israelites were instructed to consume the entire lamb, we are called to accept Christ completely and wholeheartedly. There’s no room for partial commitment or hesitation. God desires our full allegiance and devotion.

We cannot approach our relationship with Christ with a mindset of convenience or partiality, thinking we can consume Him little by little over time. Rather, we must make a decisive choice to accept Him fully, without reservation or delay. It’s a matter of saying “yes” to Christ with unwavering determination.

Once we make the decision to follow Christ, there’s no turning back. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to Him, dedicated until the end of our days. Just as the Israelites were instructed to consume the Passover lamb entirely, so too are we called to embrace Christ completely, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives.

Lesson no. 6: Death Passed Over Us Through the Blood of Yahshua

The lamb should be without blemish. We know from the Scripture that the lamb here foreshadows the coming of the Messiah, our Savior and Master, Yahshua. Like the lamb without spot and blemish, Yahshua was also without fault and sin.

¹² ‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. ¹³ Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:12-13

The Passover lamb was killed for our sakes. The Israelites symbolically took the blood of the lamb and used it as a sign. If Yahweh sees the blood, He would not let the destroyer kill the firstborn of that house. In effect, Yahweh passed over the house. 

In the same way, brethren, when we accept the sacrifice of Yahshua, the penalty of sin, which is death, is also passed over so that we don’t have to suffer any more of the eternal consequence of sin.

Now, here’s what’s really interesting. Did you know that both the Egyptians and the Israelites were all sinners? Everyone should die for their sins. Actually, on that day, there was also death in the houses of the Israelites. However, it wasn’t their firstborn son. It was the lamb.

Can you now see the rich lessons and deep analogy in Passover? Instead of the firstborn of the Israelites who should die, the lamb died for them. Brethren, that’s the same thing that God did for us. Instead of you and I to die for our sins, Yahshua died for us. So, don’t think that sin’s penalty is cheap. God redeemed us with the precious blood of His Son.

Lesson no. 7: We must believe and obey

The Bible teaches us that we are saved by the life of Christ and by believing in the redeeming power of His blood. However, belief alone is not sufficient. We can learn from the example of the Israelites who, although they had faith in the promises of God, also demonstrated their belief through obedience.

It wasn’t enough for the Israelites to simply believe in the power of the blood of the Passover lamb. They had to actively participate by applying the blood to their doorposts as God commanded. This act of obedience was a tangible expression of their faith.

In this way, the Israelites show us that faith and obedience go hand in hand. True faith is demonstrated through obedience to God’s commands. It’s not enough to simply believe in God’s promises; we must also be willing to act in accordance with His will.

Just as the Israelites trusted in God’s provision and followed His instructions, we too are called to have faith that is accompanied by obedience. Our actions should reflect our belief in God’s promises, demonstrating our commitment to following His guidance and living according to His Word.

Lesson no. 8: The Passover is super important

I couldn’t emphasize enough how important the Passover is. First, notice what Deuteronomy 16:1 tells us:

​¹ “Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover to the LORD your God, for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. 

Notice that we must observe the month of Abib. It didn’t simply say observe the fourteenth day, but rather the month of Abib. The Passover is so important that God wants us to be conscious about the whole month of Abib when the Passover will occur. God even gave us 14 days to prepare for the Passover.

We read in Numbers 9:9-11:

⁹ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ¹⁰ “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the LORD’s Passover. ¹¹ On the fourteenth day of the second month, at twilight, they may keep it. 

Did you see that, brethren? The Passover is so important that if you missed it due to situations that are beyond your control, you can take it in the second month. Now, this does not only show us the importance of Passover but also the tremendous mercy of our God.

God knows that we are humans with frailties and weaknesses. God does not enjoy destroying people. What He wants is for us to turn from our wicked ways and follow Him. The second Passover is a testimony of God’s mercy and His willingness for every single person to be saved.

Final words

Those are the interesting and I would also say, little-known lessons from the Passover. I hope that this message gave you a deeper understanding of what the Passover is all about and how it pictures the tremendous love, mercy, and grace of our Heavenly Father.

As we partake of the Passover, may we all remember the lessons we learned today.

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