Our Passover Lamb

This year (2017 – Gregorian Calendar) Holy Week coincides with Passover (5777 – Hebrew Calendar). Perhaps there is no coincidence that the most holy week for Christians and Jews is the same. The Jewish people are focusing on the story of Israel’s freedom from slavery in Egypt. Christians and Messianic believers are focusing on the redemption we received from Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. 

Jesus is our Passover Lamb. John the Baptist was preparing the way for the Lord. When he saw Jesus coming toward him, he said:  

… “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” 

(John 1:29 NKJV) 

The Jewish faith knows of the lamb’s sacrifice on the altar in the temple each year, and the verse in Isaiah 53:7 describes how Jesus willingly became the sacrificial lamb for all who believe that He is the son of God. This ‘lamb’ is the same in the Old and the New Testament. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV)

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,

Yet He opened not His mouth;

He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,

And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

So He opened not His mouth.

Jesus came to earth as our substitute.  He is our Advocate. (Advocate:  one who pleads the cause of another; specifically :  one who pleads the cause of another before a judicial court)

1 John 2:1 (CEB) My little children, I’m writing these things to you so that you don’t sin. But if you do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.

If you have ever needed a lawyer to represent you in a court of law, your hope is that the lawyer (advocate) will plead your case and you will get the desired, favorable result. Our hope as believers in Jesus Christ is that when we come to Him we can have confidence that our prayers will be answered. 

1 John 5:14-15 (TLB)

 And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.  And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us.

We understand from reading in Romans 8:34 that Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father. Therefore we can know He is listening. 

“It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

As we move through Holy Week, our Passover Lamb (Jesus) should be our focus. Our perfect redemption includes: health, provision, favor, opportunity, and success in every category of our lives.  HE IS RISEN is our refrain.  Let us rejoice and remember His sacrifice for each one of us. 

Psalm 97:12 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,

And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name

For further reading on Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, please see our posts from last year.

It Is Finished... He Is Risen pt 1

It Is Finished... He Is Risen pt 2

Have a blessed, Passover, Holy Week and Easter (Ressurection Sunday).

~ Sarah and Joanne