"For Even Christ Our Passover is Sacrificed For Us" (1 Corinthians 5:7)

Among the many feasts and celebrations the early children of Israel were asked to honor, perhaps none is so well known as the feast of passover. Beginning with the old testament Israelites and stretching down through the time of the Savior, this sacred occasion served as an anticipatory celebration of the redemption which would be brought about by the Messiah. The origins of this sacred moment are to be found in the Old Testament where we read of the "destroying angel" which was sent to afflict the firstborn sons of Israel as part of the ancient plagues. In his mercy our Heavenly Father provided a way for the faithful and humble in Israel to spare their own sons by commemorating the blood which would be shed by His own, blameless Son on their behalf. The requirement was to spread the blood of an unblemished lamb above and around the entrance to their homes and the promise was that the destroying angel would pass by any home bearing such a mark. There is a sacred irony to be found in all of this. In the scenario the blood of an eldest son is required and must be offered. The difference, however, is that one group of eldest sons stood guilty and stained while the other eldest Son of the Highest stood absolutely guiltless and unspotted before God. The tragedy in this scene is that Israel would not see the blood of this great and final sacrifice shed at the hands of another while they pleaded for mercy on his behalf. Rather, Israel's God, their rock filled with living water, their light by day and pillar of fire by night, would stagger along his path to atonement surrounded by the blasphemous shouts of "crucify Him" from the lips of His covenant people.

These ancient events quickly gave rise to the annual feast of passover, a sacred opportunity to remember the mercy of our Savior; the temporal redemption made possible through a symbol of his blood and the permanent redemption of both body and spirit he would some day make possible for all through the shedding of his own blood. The commandment was subsequently given to hold this feast and holy celebration each year at the time analogous to when the "great and last sacrifice" would be made.

In the New Testament we read of one such season of passover. The time of passover had dawned just as it had in so many years prior. Yet this time it would be unlike any past celebration. This time the symbolic would become literal. The promise would be fulfilled. Unbeknownst to ancient Israel they were gathering for their last passover for after these events their worship would change from anticipatory waiting to reverent remembrance.

Thus, it is with these realities in mind that we see the Lamb of God riding in triumph into Jerusalem. To the Pharisee or Centurion looking on. this scene must have been somewhat underwhelming. After all, this King of the Jews did not enter riding upon a horse, the worldly symbol of power and conquest. Instead he chose to make his appearance upon a young colt, pointing instead to his role as the Prince of Peace and disbarring any notion of violence or resistance.

I have pondered this scene many times. Surely there is no more succinct or stirring cry than the one those ancient disciples gave : "Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna" In this restored church of Jesus Christ we seem to do well in remembering this event each spring when it is commemorated. I wonder, however, if we too often allow these scenes of mercy, redemption and grace to become dimmed once that Holy Week fades into the past. The need for the feast has ended but the need for passover has never been greater. The overarching reality in all this is that because of the events on one especially sacred passover, the grace of the final pascal lamb will one day pass over all the trials of a fallen world. Over addictions and destructive habits. Over harsh words and thoughtless remarks. Over fractured families and shattered dreams. Over broken hearts and ruined relationships. And ultimately it will pass over death. That is the passover I ask us to celebrate in every day and every moment of our lives. Ancient Israel once marked the entrance to their homes, the access point to their livelihoods and families with the symbolic blood of Jesus Christ. May you and I in a similar spirit resolve to mark our hearts, the entrance to our deepest desires and sincerest yearnings, with the memory of the sacred blood which was shed so that we may live. That this may be so is my prayer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.