The crucifixion of Jesus Christ coincided with the Jewish Passover, creating a deep symbolic connection between the two events. In Jewish tradition, Passover involves selecting a lamb without blemish as a sacrificial offering. Jesus, similarly, was the sinless “Lamb of God,” sent to be a sacrifice for humanity’s sins.
The Israelites selected their Passover lamb on the tenth day of Nisan, which, in that particular year, corresponded to Sunday, April 2nd. Pilgrims would bring their lambs from Bethpage to the Temple mount. On this same day, Jesus entered Jerusalem, presenting Himself as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb. The people welcomed Him with joy, mirroring the reception of the Passover lamb.
The Confirmation of the Lamb
After Jesus entered the Temple and cleansed it, the religious leaders grew increasingly hostile towards Him. This mirrors the final selection and confirmation of the Passover lamb. The priests’ decision to arrest and kill Jesus confirmed Him as the chosen sacrificial lamb. When Pontius Pilate offered the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, they chose Jesus to be crucified, reinforcing His role as the unblemished Lamb of God.
The Israelites were instructed to sacrifice the lamb on the 14th day of Nisan, which that year began at sunset on Thursday, April 6th, and ended at sunset on Friday, April 7th. Jesus was crucified on Friday, April 7th, before sunset, perfectly aligning with the Passover sacrifice.
The Last Supper and Its Significance
The Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples, was a Passover meal commemorating the Israelites’ deliverance from Egyptian slavery. This meal was rich in symbolism, recalling the slaying of a lamb and the marking of doorposts with its blood to protect the Israelites’ firstborn from the plague of death. In this act, Jesus prepared to replace the blood of the lamb with His own, marking the cross instead of doorposts to save His followers from eternal death.
The Sacrifice in Jerusalem
Jewish law required the Passover lamb to be sacrificed in Jerusalem on the 14th of Nisan. Jesus’ crucifixion in Jerusalem on Friday, April 7th, fulfilled this requirement. His death on the cross at this time and place symbolized the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the law and prophetic foreshadowing of the Passover lamb.
REFLECTION
God fulfilled His promise to humanity by sending His Son among us. Jesus voluntarily gave His life to free us from the bondage of sin and Satan. This ultimate sacrifice calls us to recognize and accept Jesus as our Savior. His blood, shed on the cross, is our mark of redemption, sparing us from eternal death and granting us the promise of eternal life.
As Christians, we must embrace this gift of salvation with gratitude and live in a way that reflects our acceptance of Jesus as our Redeemer. We are called to follow His teachings and spread His message of love, grace, and redemption to others. Reflecting on the profound sacrifice Jesus made, we should strive to live our lives in a manner worthy of His love and grace.
In our daily lives, let us remember the significance of Jesus as the Passover Lamb. His sacrifice was the ultimate act of love and redemption. By accepting Him, we are called to live in His light, share His love, and bring His message of hope to the world. May our faith be strengthened as we reflect on the depth of His sacrifice and the boundless grace that it brings.