This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance. (Ex. 12:14)
A doxology of praise rises up within me when I comprehend the magnitude of this verse! As a Christian I often realize what a limited view I have of my heritage. By that I simply mean without a Jewish understanding of Scripture, it is very difficult to understand the full significance of Jesus Christ the Messiah.
Several years ago I experienced a Passover celebration presented by Jews for Jesus. I was amazed to recognize in every single meticulous detail of the Passover meal, Jesus was the fulfillment! As Christians we know the Last Supper in the upper room was the Passover feast. Because Christ was the sacrificial Lamb, He was the Passover Lamb.
What appeared to be a message simply given to the Israelites who were being delivered from Egypt, was a message given to us all. We are being delivered from sin. Therefore, we observe a lasting ordinance. We call it the Lord’s Supper, Eucharist, or Communion.
What a beautiful connection between the Old Testament and the New! The same God who delivered the Israelites out of Egypt has delivered us through Jesus Christ.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
Today, offer praise to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His name is Jesus.
Dianne Swaim is a chaplain at the VA Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Married to Gordon, she is the mother of three and grandmother of nine.
