Passover and the Lamb of God – The Meaning of Redemption | Harvest of Asher

As the Passover holiday approaches, we pause to reflect once again on the great redemption of the Lord. Passover reminds the Nation of Israel from all over the world, of the moment when God brought His people out of slavery from Egypt into freedom. As it is written in the Torah: “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians… and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.” (Exodus 6:6). It is a story of deliverance, grace, and God’s faithfulness throughout the generations.

The word Haggadah itself is connected to the commandment in the Torah: “And you shall tell your son on that day, saying: ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’” (Exodus 13:8). Passover is therefore not only a personal remembrance but a story that is passed from generation to generation. We are called to tell, proclaim, and testify about the acts of God’s redemption. That is why on the night of the Seder we read the Haggadah and retell the story of salvation.

In the Haggadah it is written: “In every generation a person must see himself as if he personally came out of Egypt.” Redemption is therefore not only a historical event of the past, it is a living spiritual reality that touches our lives today. The same God who brought Israel out of Egypt continues to act and to bring people out of bondage into freedom.

At the heart of the Passover story stands the sacrifice of the lamb. The Torah commands: “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year… and they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel.” (Exodus 12:5,7). The blood on the doorposts was a sign of protection. As the Lord said: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” (Exodus 12:13). The blood was a sign of life, protection, and salvation.

In the New Testament we see that Yeshua is the Lamb of God, the Passover sacrifice given for us. When John the Baptist saw Him, he proclaimed: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) The apostle Paul wrote: “For indeed Messiah, our Passover lamb, was sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)

Just as in Egypt the blood was applied to the doorposts and brought protection to the houses of Israel, so for the believer the blood of Yeshua has been shed and covers him. The blood of Messiah brings forgiveness, atonement, and peace with God. Therefore the believer can live with confidence and peace thanks to the fact that the blood of Messiah has already been shed for him.

Today, living in the Land of Israel and having to be continually prepared for warnings of attack, especially in the northern part of the country, the words of the Haggadah feel especially meaningful. We remember the line that we sing on the night of the Seder: “In every generation they rise up against us to destroy us, but the Holy One, blessed be He, delivers us from their hands.” Despite the challenges and threats, we know that the God of Israel watches over His people and gives us hope and confidence even in difficult times.

As we sit around the Seder table and read the Haggadah, we fulfill the commandment: “And you shall tell your son on that day.” (Exodus 13:8) We recount the story of the redemption from Egypt, while also testifying about the redemption that God continues to work in our lives today. In doing so, we pass on to the next generation the faithfulness of God and the way He brings salvation.

In the Letter to the Hebrews it is written that we draw near to God “and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). The blood of the Messiah speaks forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life. In a world filled with challenges, this faith gives us inner peace and hope.

Therefore, on Passover we not only remember the redemption that happened in the past, but we also look forward to the redemption that is yet to come. As the sages say: “In Passover we were redeemed, and in Passover we will be redeemed again.” This hope lives in our hearts even today.

It is with this hope, that the spirit within us cries out and longs for His coming: Come, Yeshua.

Happy and blessed Passover — a holiday of redemption, faith, and renewed hope in our hearts.

*We invite you to follow this link for further teaching on Passover.

* Also, follow this link for a free download of our Passover Haggadah.