Traditions of Passover

Now we come to a close examination of Jesus during this week. If you have not read our first post, please CLICK HERE. For those who have, let’s dive into what Jesus was doing. The rituals also provide us with information on why Jesus chose to do what He did during the days before the Passover. When He leaves Lazarus’ house on Nissan 10, He goes to Jerusalem. It is during this visit that Jesus is questioned by the Sadducees (Scribes) and the Pharisees. Both heretical groups had taken over the religious leadership in Israel. The Essenes had been virtually separated from leadership by this time. However, during Jesus’ ministry, each group would identify if He was worthy. The priests would examine the sacrificial lamb that would be used for passover; this was the time for the official religious experts to make sure the national passover lamb was sufficient. There were three groups, the Sadducees, Pharasees and the Essenes. Typically, we hear about the first two the most. As we discover more archeological evidence, we identify others in the Bible who were Essenes. The Essenes, through John the Baptist, identify that Jesus was the Lamb of God and worthy of our praise at the very start of Jesus’ ministry. John 1:29-34“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 “This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 “I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” 32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 “And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

The Sadducees and Pharisees examined the Lamb of God and found nothing. In fact, they marveled and dared not ask Him anything by the end of their examination.

Mark 12:17“And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.”

Mark 12:34“Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him.”

Just like the lamb each family was preparing, four days would pass, and the family would have time to examine the sacrificial lamb. So the priests had time to examine the Lord’s sacrifice.

The lamb would be killed at 3 pm on Nissan 14. Jesus gave up His Spirit and died at Nissan 14 at 3 pm. By 6 pm, He was buried because the High Sabbath was approaching, and it was the preparation day.

Jesus was the perfect sacrificial lamb. Jesus was what you and I needed to be saved. To take away the sins of the world. Every person has the opportunity to be saved. Now is the time of salvation; do not wait. God was precise in what He did, He means what He says. Jesus talked more about Hell then Heaven, and the reason why was because it is a real and eternal thing that we must be saved from. He is the only person who can save us.

John 3:16-17“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” God wants you in His family; He wants to save you. However, that salvation came at a price, a price Jesus has already paid. We need not do anything. All we must do is say thank you and accept it in our place. Ask the Lord into your life now and see that He was the perfect Lamb of God as proclaimed by John the Baptist. Resurrection Sunday was yesterday. Start a new chapter in your life with Jesus today.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

Some information was drawn upon the work of Ancient Messianic Festivals and the Prophecies They Reveal by Ken Johnson, TH.D.