"Christ our passover (lamb) is sacrificed (slain) for us."-1 Corinthians 5:7

Five days before the Jewish Passover, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, offering himself as Israel's king.

The Feast of the Passover was celebrated every year for seven days, beginning with the fifteenth day of the first month (Nisan). It reminded the Jews of Moses leading the Israelites out of their slavery in Egypt many years before. It was also a picture of the passing over, or sparing from death, of the firstborn of that nation. They were all subject to death because of the tenth plague upon Egypt unless they were under the blood which had been sprinkled on the doorposts and lintels of their homes. It was an event that marked the birth of the nation of Israel. Passover is still celebrated to this day.

Jesus would become the Passover lamb to fulfill the picture of the first Passover. Jesus and his followers ate the Passover supper each year. The last time Jesus was with them and they had finished their meal of lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread, Jesus gave them a new way to commemorate (observe). In place of the Passover he started the Memorial Supper.

Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take eat: this is [represents] my body, which is broken for you" (1 Corinthians 11:24). Then he took the cup of wine (fruit of the vine, grape juice), gave thanks, and passed it to each disciple, saying, "Take, drink of it, all of you" (Matthew 26:27, Lamsa). He said it represented his blood which was to be shed for the remission (forgiveness) of sins.

Jesus' followers are to do this each year in remembrance of his death. They must realize in their hearts that Jesus' death is the ransom, the corresponding price for the sins of the whole world.

They are invited to lay down their lives in sacrifice and develop a new creature (new mind) which, if they remain faithful, would receive a spirit body in the kingdom. They will become members of the church and live and reign over the earth with our Lord Jesus Christ for a thousand years! (Revelation 20:4).

The lives of the church class are not necessary to redeem the world, but God has a great reward (the divine nature) for those who eagerly walk in their Master's footsteps, sacrificing all they have (time, money, talent, strength, etc.) until death.

The "Passover lamb" was another picture of Jesus being sacrificed for mankind!

Each year we remember Jesus' death by participating in the Memorial Supper!

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