From Exodus to Sacrifice: The Powerful Symbolism of the Passover Celebration Meal and Jesus as the Passover Lamb
The Passover celebration, also known as Seder, is one of the most significant events in the Hebrew calendar. It is a time to remember and celebrate the story of the Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12). The Seder meal is filled with symbolic foods that help tell the story of this momentous event. In Christianity, the Passover story has a deeper significance, as Jesus celebrated it with His disciples before He was betrayed and arrested. It is also a type and shadow of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate Passover Lamb. In this article, we will explore the symbolism of the Passover celebration meal and its connection to Jesus as the Passover Lamb sacrifice.
The Seder Plate and its Symbolism
The Seder plate is the centerpiece of the Passover celebration meal. It is a large plate that holds six symbolic foods, each representing an aspect of the Passover story. The six items on the Seder plate are:
Zeroa (Shankbone): The zeroa is a roasted lamb shankbone that represents the Passover lamb sacrifice. We read in Exodus, the Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and smear its blood on their doorposts to protect them from the Angel of Death. As Christians, we see Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb sacrifice whose blood saved us from eternal death. The blood of the lamb was smeared on the door frame across the top and from top to bottom, which resembles a cross, a foreshadowing of what was to come at Calvary.
Beitzah (Hard-Boiled Egg): The hard-boiled egg represents the cycle of life and death. It also symbolizes the rebirth of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. As Christians, the egg represents the resurrection of Jesus after his death, and the rebirth we experience after we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Maror (Bitter Herbs): The maror represents the bitterness of slavery. The herb is usually horseradish, which is extremely pungent and bitter, symbolizing the harshness of slavery. The Israelites were enslaved by Pharaoh in Egypt for 430 years. We recognize the bitterness of the herbs as a symbol of the pain and suffering that Jesus endured during his crucifixion, carrying the sins of the world.
Charoset (Fruit and Nut Mixture): The charoset is a mixture of chopped apples, nuts, and wine. It represents the mortar that the Israelites used to make bricks for Pharaoh. The sweetness of the charoset represents the hope and promise of freedom. For Christians, the fruit and nut mixture represents the sweetness of salvation and freedom we have, being redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb.
Karpas (Green Vegetable) and Ma’im Meh-Luchim (Salt Water): The karpas is a green vegetable, usually parsley or celery, which represents spring, produce, and new beginnings. The salt water is a reminder of the tears shed by the Israelites during their enslavement. For Christians, the karpas represents the new life we have in Jesus, and the growth of the Church: from a tiny seed of faith planted, to multitudes of people who have received Jesus as Lord. During the meal, the parsley is dipped into salt water, to represent the bitterness of slavery and to remember the passage through the Red Sea, which the LORD parted for the Israelites, and enclosed on the Egyptians, killing their army and delivering the Israelites from death. The dipping in the salt water can also symbolize water baptism to Christians: a new creation represented by the parsley leaf is fully submerged in the salt water, being surrounded by the bitterness of sin and symbolizing death. It is then pulled out of the sin (salt water) in a reflection of resurrection and redemption.
Chazeret (Bitter Herb): The chazeret is another bitter herb, usually romaine lettuce, which is eaten after the maror. It symbolizes the harshness of slavery and is a reminder that the Israelites had to endure suffering before they were liberated. As Christians, the chazeret becomes a symbol of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, which was a full, bitter cup of suffering, but required to complete the work of redemption.
The Matzah and its Symbolism
The matzah, or unleavened bread, is an essential part of the Passover celebration meal. It is made without yeast or any leavening agent and is baked quickly to avoid rising. The matzah symbolizes the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt. They did not have time to wait for their bread to rise, so they took unleavened bread instead.
Yeast symbolizes sin throughout the Scriptures. Matzah (thin, crispy bread without yeast) is a representation of the sinless body of Jesus, who is without sin. Jesus is often referred to as the "bread of life," and the unleavened bread is a symbol of his body, which was broken for the sins of humanity. If you look at matzah, you will see how it has holes in it. The dough is pierced all over on both sides before it is baked. Jesus was pierced for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). This matzah was broken by Jesus during the Passover meal with His disciples, wherein He instituted a new ordinance: Communion. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 says:
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is [peeled] for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”
When we take communion, we remember Jesus’s body which was pierced and peeled for our iniquities and we consume it, so that by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). That’s why Paul mentioned the healing benefits of taking communion to the Corinthians. Jesus is the matzah which physically is pierced, as He was physically pierced, and by His stripes we are healed—through faith in His finished work on the Cross, we are healed physically and spiritually, and taking communion seals this faith and supernaturally quickens the mortal body. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:28-30:
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.”
The bread which Jesus broke and which is broken today to remember Jesus’ death is Jesus’ body. This must be discerned before partaking in communion. Otherwise, the consequences Paul mentions, will be reaffirmed.
Conclusion
The Passover celebration meal is rich in symbolism and significance. It tells the story of the Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt and serves as a reminder of the hardships they faced before being delivered by the LORD. The Passover also has a deep connection to Christianity, as it is seen as a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is referred to as the Passover Lamb, as He sacrificed Himself to save humanity from eternal death. His blood is seen as the ultimate protection from death, just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected the Israelites from the Angel of Death. The symbolic foods on the Seder plate represent various aspects of the Passover story and their connection to Jesus' sacrifice.
As Christians, we are privileged to be able to partake in this special holiday in holy reverence to our LORD, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, since we are the true decedents of Israel (see Exodus 12:43, Romans 9:6-9, Romans 11:17).
The Passover celebration meal is a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom and sacrifice. It is a time for reflection and remembrance, as well as a celebration of the resilience and strength of the LORD’s people. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus and the importance of faith in His Word.
In conclusion, the Passover celebration meal is a deeply meaningful event and time of celebration. Its symbolism serves as a powerful reminder of the Israelites’ journey from slavery to freedom, the roots of our salvation, the foreshadowing of redemption of humanity through Jesus, and the importance of obedience and faith in receiving this freedom. The connection between Passover and the sacrifice of Jesus serves as a testament to the power of faith and the importance of remembering our history and upholding the significance of the Word established by the LORD, out of reverential fear of our God who saves, delivers, and sets free.