Holy Bible Online 
"He is risen!" - that's what we read in Matthew 28:5-7 and it's the central reality of the Gospel. The resurrection of Jesus is God’s powerful message of hope to the world, proclaiming the ultimate good news of life, renewal, and victory over death.
The Bible shows us that there is hope in the midst of pain. There is freedom for the enslaved. There is light for our darkness. There is renewal and life in spite of death.
The First Passover
The word "Passover," in Hebrew "Pesach," means passage, to pass over or pass by. This term originated from a significant event: the liberation of the people of Israel in Egypt. An angel of death ‘passed over’ the lands of Egypt, killing every firstborn (first son). However, all those who had lamb’s blood on their doors were saved. After that, the people "passed" from their condition as slaves to being free!
Israel was going through immense injustices. The people were oppressed and subjected to slavery for more than 400 years, with even their children being brutally murdered by the Pharaoh's order (Exodus 1). Those were terrible days. The entire nation was subjugated by a cruel and wicked empire. But God heard the cry and tears of His people, delivering them with power and miracles.
In this first Passover, the Israelites were freed from their oppressors. To this day, Jews celebrate Passover remembering the deliverance granted by the Lord.
Jewish Passover
Passover is the oldest Jewish celebration, pointing to the great victory of the Lord against the Egyptians, during Israel’s liberation from Egypt. The feast happens in the month of Abib (the 1st month of the year) and lasts for 7 days. Each family would set aside a flawless male animal (usually a lamb) to be sacrificed. Afterward, it would be roasted whole, without breaking any of its bones, and then eaten quickly with bitter herbs and unleavened bread.
In Exodus, we see that the origin of this feast dates back to the night that culminated in the departure of the Israelites (the 1st Passover). They were to dip a hyssop branch (a type of sponge) in the blood of the sacrifices and sprinkle it on the door frames of all the houses. Then, they prepared to leave quickly.
In the same way, God can also hear your cry. He can set you free from everything that oppresses you, breaking the oppressive chains and granting His immeasurable peace.
Christian Passover - Grace, Light, and Life
The New Testament shows a redemptive transition between the Jewish Passover and the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the Passover Lamb who was sacrificed for us:
For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrifice.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7b
Passover of Hope and Grace
Throughout history, Israel went through many ups and downs in its walk with God. After the liberation from Egypt, Israel conquered the promised land, established itself as a nation, but also experienced suffering: wars, attacks, exile, and foreign domination... yet the promise of the coming Messiah kept the flame of hope alive in their hearts.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
- Isaiah 7:14
For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6
The people of Israel lived for years waiting for the fulfillment of the Promise. The Prince sent by God (the Messiah or Christ) would come, establishing God's mighty rule, bringing an end to all oppression and suffering.
Read more about the 4 titles of Jesus that explain who He Is.
From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.
- Acts 13:23
As we know, the promise was fulfilled: Jesus was born of a virgin, fulfilling everything that had been said about Him. He was the answer to the years of silence. He is the salvation that thirsty souls had long awaited. Jesus Christ came full of truth and grace, bringing fullness to all who believe in Him:
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:14,16-17
Passover is an invitation to the Grace of God. A call to discover the fulfillment of Love and Truth in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). We no longer need to sacrifice animals for the forgiveness of sins. Christ has already redeemed us, doing so once and for all, forever.
Jesus, the Light of the World
The world walks in darkness. Like those groping for something to hold on to, many catch glimpses of figures and shadows concerning the truth. But the true Light that illuminates the human heart is a person: Jesus. Those who do not understand the real meaning of Jesus' resurrection still do not know God's full purpose for their lives.
Unless they comprehend the glorious light that comes from Jesus Christ, people will remain blind to the essence of life. Only when they understand the purpose of Jesus' death and resurrection will they discover the wonderful richness He has won for those who believe:
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
- Isaiah 9:2
Jesus came to bring brilliant light to our darkness. He fulfilled this prophecy and over 300 others about the Messiah. He is the light of the world, so we no longer need to fear oppression, death, suffering, or anything that may seem dark to our hearts:
Read about 15 Old Testament Prophecies About Jesus That Were Fulfilled.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
- John 1:4-5
Life and Resurrection
Jesus also lived days of anguish and darkness while He was on earth. He already knew that He would be crushed for our transgressions, that He would die for our sins. It was the price to be paid for our forgiveness and salvation. At the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus clarified that it would be His death that would grant life with God:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
- Matthew 26:26-28
It seems very contradictory, all the relationships we could draw from the scene of Christ suffering on the cross:
- The King giving His life in place of His subjects?
- The Blessed One becoming cursed on the cross?
- Could death defeat the Father of life?
- Would the Lord of lords be subdued by His servants?
- Would the true Light succumb to the powers of darkness?
This was the sad scene on the day when Jesus gave Himself up out of love. Despite all the paradoxes of the cross, Jesus fulfilled His eternal plan. With His unconditional love, He loved us even to the point of death.
But, fortunately, the story does not end here. It didn’t end on that sad, dark, and painful day. Even after suffering everything, Jesus would not leave His disciples as orphans. He would not allow death and suffering to prevail over them forever. On the third day, Jesus rose again, defeating death, all evil, and darkness.
When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead...
- Acts 13:29-30
These were historical facts: Jesus died and rose again. Many saw Him and confirmed this (Acts 15:4-6). Jesus lives! He rose again, defying all natural laws and all the expectations of hell! Because of this, our faith is not in vain. If He rose again, we who believe in Him will also rise:
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Jesus is our Passover! The story does not end at the cross... Hallelujah! Jesus Christ has risen!
He wants to set you free from the slavery of sin! Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Learn more about: The Spiritual Meaning of The Cross.
Believe! Jesus brought Good News!
After the cruel persecution and terrible death of Jesus, everyone thought that there was no more hope or reason to live. But after 3 days, good news emerged: Jesus rose from the dead!
In the same way, Jesus can reignite the light of life. We all wait for good news, but it will only come through Him: Jesus, the one sent by God... Believe that He has the Words of Eternal Life! Every difficulty you face here is nothing compared to the glorious life that God has prepared for you in eternity.
The resurrection of Christ is this wonderful historical fact that should fill our hearts with faith and hope, even now. Despite so many struggles, there is life in God, there is hope and resurrection in Christ Jesus!
Read the Word of God daily. In it, you will receive the good news that will renew your faith and hope in Jesus Christ.
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