Today's question is: As Christians, should we celebrate Passover? Before I get into that, we can go to Pinterest to find all kinds of information about celebrating it, from recipes to making decorations in order to celebrate Passover and more. I can't tell you without doing a really deep dive, on how many of these come from actual Jewish celebrations or those that are practiced in homes that are not Jewish.
And that is not my intention.
My intention is just to answer the question of whether Christians should celebrate it. And as is my usual, I go to find the answer at gotquestions.org. So here is what they say about it. And I will say, I agree with them.
The celebration of Passover is in remembrance of the time in Israel’s history when the Lord moved through Egypt destroying the firstborn of all people and animals (see Exodus 11 and 12.) This was the final of the ten plagues God visited upon Egypt designed to force Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave the country and their captivity. The Israelites were commanded by God to take the blood of a male lamb—one without blemish—and smear it on the doorposts of their houses. When the Lord saw the blood, He would “pass over” that house. This is a foreshadowing of the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus, whose blood would cover the sins of those who believe in Him, causing God’s judgment to pass over them. Ever since that night, Jews have celebrated the Passover in remembrance of God’s grace to them.
There has been an explosion of interest in adapting the Passover festival to Christianity. Various organizations, such as Jews for Jesus, have long promoted Christian Passover services as a means for Messianic Jews to retain their cultural heritage while professing their Christian faith. They have also used the Christian Passover as a means to communicate to Christians the Jewish religious heritage that they value. Many of the rituals associated with the Passover Seder have application to the Christian faith, and a Christian celebration of the Passover provides a unique way to bring the story of salvation to the ceremony.
Whether or not a Christian celebrates Passover would be a matter of conscience for the individual Christian. Like all the Old Testament Jewish Feasts, the Passover Feast was a foreshadowing of Christ’s atoning work on the cross. Colossians 2:16-17 tells us that we should “let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (NKJV). Christians are no longer bound to observe the Passover feast the way the Old Testament Jews were, but they should not look down upon another believer who does or does not observe the Passover or other special Jewish days and feasts (Romans 14:5).
While it is not required for Christians to celebrate the Passover, it is beneficial to study it and could be beneficial to celebrate it if it leads to a greater understanding and appreciation for Christ’s death and resurrection. The Passover is a wonderful picture of Christ’s atonement for His people and His deliverance of us from the bondage of sin. That is something we should celebrate every day of our lives. (credit: gotquestions.org)
Personally speaking, I have never known anyone that are born again Christians, that celebrate Passover. But I know there are those that do.
However, many churches do observe The Last Supper (Communion) which Jesus took with His disciples before His death. Some churches do this a few times a year. Last week, the Pastor of my church preached on His death, and then we partook of the Last Supper.
During this time, it is a very serious time for those that are Christians to think on what Jesus did for us on that cross so many years ago.
But of course, we know, that the best is yet to come, when he did not stay dead in a cold tomb! Still, it is the whole reason for this celebration, no matter if we are Jew or Gentiles. God sent His Son, to forgive all of our sins.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
And so, the celebration of Passover is not a requirement for us as born-again Christians that are not Jewish. However, it might be interesting to observe it at some point in our walk with the Lord.
Thanks for stopping by today, Friends. May God Bless you during this Easter Season. Til next time,,,
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