T HE PASSOVER AND COMMUNION
Exodus 12:1-14
INTRODUCTION: Matthew 26:1-2: This particular Passover that Jesus is talking about had been
celebrated every year for over 1,400 years when Jesus spoke this. Death visited all the homes
in Egypt that did not have the blood of the Passover lamb applied and their first-born sons and
their first-born animals all died. Each point in each verse we will look at here points to our Lord
Jesus Christ. John 5:39.
I. EACH FAMILY HAD TO SELECT A PASSOVER LAMB!
Every family had to select a Passover lamb: Exodus 12:3. This Passover lamb was
prophetically pointing to the New Covenant Lamb of God, Jesus: John 1:29. Since Jesus is God’s
Passover Lamb, God has made a way for each of us to be passed over in His soon coming
judgement: Hebrews 9:27. The word “Passover” in the Hebrew language means to skip over or
to dance over and that is exactly what God did on that night in Egypt. Death visited each house
where God did not see the blood applied on the door post and lintel.
II. THE PASSOVER LAMB HAD TO BE PERFECT!
In Exodus 12:5 we learn that the Passover lamb had to be a male lamb one year old and it
had to be blemish-free. In other words it had to be a perfect lamb. Our Lord Jesus is a male
and He is the only perfect man that ever lived: Hebrews 4:14-15.
III. THE PASSOVER LAMB WAS KILLED AT TWILIGHT!
Exodus 12:6: When was our Lord Jesus killed? Matthew 27:57-58. When Jesus died on the
cross darkness fell. Since Jesus is God’s Passover Lamb that means that we can be passed over
on judgement day. When God sees the blood of Jesus applied to our hearts He will pass over us
for judgement of sin.
IV. THE BLOOD OF THE PASSOVER LAMB HAD TO BE APPLIED!
Exodus 12:7: tells us that the blood of the Passover lamb had to be applied to the door sides
and top of the door frame of every house. The children of Israel listened to God and obeyed
God. Once the death angel passed over each house every member of the household ate the
Passover lamb. Now how does this fact apply to our Lord Jesus Christ? Matthew 26:26-28.
When we eat the communion bread, we are partaking of Jesus body. When we drink the
communion juice we are drinking Jesus blood to remember His death on the cross for the
remission of our sins. Jesus came to deliver us and to save us from bondage and our old sinful
lives. Our Lord Jesus on the cross paid the price for our sin: Romans 6:23. Jesus wants to be
your Passover Lamb if you by faith will call on His Name and accept the shed blood of our Lord
as payment for your sin. Jesus was giving them and us a way to be passed over when
judgement comes. Why did Jesus shed His blood to pay for our sins? Because according to
Scripture the life of every person is in the blood: Leviticus 17:11. Jesus blood was our
atonement for our sin.
V. THE FLESH OF THE PASSOVER LAMB HAD TO BE EATEN!
Exodus 12:8 tells us the flesh of the Passover lamb had to be eaten. Everyone in the house
had to eat the meat of the lamb personally. Matthew 26:26. Today by eating the unleavened
bread we fulfill this requirement.
VI. NO BONE OF THE PASSOVER LAMB COULD BE BROKEN!
Exodus 12:9: Even in death the Passover lamb was complete. John 19:31-37. The Anointed
One of God was complete. Our Lord did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it: Luke 24:44.
We must acknowledge Jesus before mankind, then He will acknowledge us before His Father
in heaven: Matthew 10:32-33.
VII. NONE OF THE PASSOVER LAMB WAS TO BE LEFT UNTIL MORNING!
None of the Passover lamb was to be left till morning: Exodus 12:10. Our Lord Jesus was
removed from the cross so He would not be there in the morning. Jesus truly was God’s
Passover Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world.
VIII. WHEN GOD SAW THE BLOOD OF THE PASSOVER LAMB ON THE DOOR POST HE
PASSED OVER THAT HOUSE!
When God saw the blood of the Passover lamb He would pass over that home or exempt
you from the coming death of the first born: Exodus 12:13. Passover comes when God finds
obedience in the human heart. 1 Corinthians 5:7. Have you applied the blood of God’s
Passover Lamb to your heart? 1 Corinthians 11:23-32.