The Passover, which is celebrated by Jewish people, is a signpost to, and shadow of, the cross. It was no accident that the momentous event in human history, Jesus death on the cross, occurred at the same time as the annual Passover feast of remembrance.

As a ‘signpost’, the Passover pointed forward to the true freedom which was to be experienced by Christian believers. Jesus is referred to in Scripture as the ‘Lamb of God’. In this passage we see that he was crucified. This is the reality which was symbolized in the Passover where the angel of death ‘passed over’ the Israelite homes and no-one died. This also resulted in their release from slavery to the Egyptians.

As a ‘shadow’ the Passover illustrates the forgiveness we must have in order to be sheltered from God’s punishment for the wrong things we have done. Jesus died on the cross as a substitute and a sacrifice. The Passover Lamb was a shadow of that which later occurred at the cross. Eating of the Passover Lamb symbolized the need to trust in what Jesus has accomplished for us.