Good morning,

Charles Spurgeon challenges us to praise God in everything. We should take stock of our lives and be thankful for what God has given us. We should not take God for granted, nor be unthankful. 

To be out of the lunatic asylum, to be out of prison, to be out of Hell

Charles Spurgeon
Psalm 103:1-4, “Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion!”

Most of us should blush under a sense of ingratitude to our bountiful Maker, Sustainer and Savior!

Did you ever thank God for your creation, your reason, your continued life? I have known what it is to thank God with all my heart for being able to move my limbs and turn in bed.

Perhaps you have always enjoyed good health; do you thank Him for that?
To be out of the hospital,
to be out of the lunatic asylum,
to be out of prison,
to be out of Hell;
do we ever thank God for these things? As for the unspeakable gift of Jesus and His dying love for such sinners as we are; who among us has ever worthily thanked Him on this account?

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

“Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28

“A grateful heart is one of the chief characteristics of a true believer.”

“Ungratefulness is one of the most shameful sins, and yet it is one of the most common.”

“The Lord loves a thankful heart; it is the music that delights His ear.”

“We often write our blessings in sand, and engrave our complaints in marble.”

“Gratitude sweetens every blessing and makes it more precious.”

“The deeper our sense of sin, the louder our song of gratitude for redeeming grace.”
“Let us be as grateful for the smallest blessings as for the greatest.”

“The cross is the fountain of endless gratitude.”
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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The resurrection changes everything. This week we look at Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and post resurrection happenings.

The Resurrection Changes Everything (1 Corinthians 15:3-6, 13-18)

Death, burial, resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

Witnesses of the risen Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:6)

 ⁶ After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

The significance of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:13-18)

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: ¹⁴ And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. ¹⁵ Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. ¹⁶ For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: ¹⁷ And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

Jesus said He would rise again after 3 days. He did. We must always believe the word of God.  It seems that the women were surprised. Then with fear and great joy they went to tell the other disciples. Then Jesus confirms to them He has risen. Furthermore, that they would see Him in Galilee.

Why do we doubt? We have the Bible with eyewitness accounts of all that happened to Jesus from His miraculous birth, His horrifying death, His resurrection, His visual resurrected appearance, and His ascension to heaven.

The disciples’ lives were completely changed after the resurrection. Timid and weak turned into bold and strong. They turned their world upside down for Jesus.

Are we impacted by the resurrection of Jesus? 

Disciples Worship Jesus (Matthew 28:16-17)

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.¹⁷ And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted.

Jesus tells the Disciples to Go and Teach ALL Nations (Matthew 28:18-20)

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Believers in Christ should worship Him. Praise, honor, exaltation, and reverence should characterize our worship.

Then as an outpouring of our worship, we should be willing and excited to tell others about our Lord Jesus Christ. Someone told us, we should tell others. Jesus’ command is that we tell others and then instruct them.

Afraid? Scared? Apprehensive? Jesus said He would be with us. That is mighty good protection!

Will we be willing to tell others about our Savior, the risen Lord Jesus?

ACTION POINTS:

• Serve Christ as did Joseph and Nicodemus
• Seek Jesus as did Mary Magdalene
• Worship and fear Jesus as did the women and disciples
• Witness for Jesus as He commanded
• Teach others God’s word as he commanded
• Without the Resurrection your faith is in vain
• REMEMBER: Jesus is always with you

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The resurrection changes everything. This week we look at Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and post resurrection happenings.

The Resurrection Changes Everything (1 Corinthians 15:3-6, 13-18)

Death, burial, resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

Witnesses of the risen Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:6)

 ⁶ After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

The significance of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:13-18)

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: ¹⁴ And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. ¹⁵ Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. ¹⁶ For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: ¹⁷ And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

Jesus said He would rise again after 3 days. He did. We must always believe the word of God.  It seems that the women were surprised. Then with fear and great joy they went to tell the other disciples. Then Jesus confirms to them He has risen. Furthermore, that they would see Him in Galilee.

Why do we doubt? We have the Bible with eyewitness accounts of all that happened to Jesus from His miraculous birth, His horrifying death, His resurrection, His visual resurrected appearance, and His ascension to heaven.

The disciples’ lives were completely changed after the resurrection. Timid and weak turned into bold and strong. They turned their world upside down for Jesus.

Are we impacted by the resurrection of Jesus? 

Disciples Worship Jesus (Matthew 28:16-17)

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.¹⁷ And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The resurrection changes everything. This week we look at Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and post resurrection happenings.

Resurrection

John 19:30, 38-42, Matthew 28:1-10, 16-17, 18-20

He is Risen (Matthew 28:1-10)

Empty Tomb (Matthew 28:1-6)

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.² And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.³ His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:⁴ And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.⁵ And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.⁶ He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Tell the disciples: He is risen (Matthew 28:7-8)

⁷ And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.⁸ And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Jesus appears to the women (Matthew 28:9-10)

⁹ And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshiped him.¹⁰ Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”

Matthew 28:1–10 describes how two of Jesus’ women followers learn of Jesus’ resurrection. Before they arrive at the tomb on Sunday morning, an angel from heaven descends and rolls back the large stone. This is accompanied by an earthquake. The Roman soldiers faint. The angel tells the women Jesus is risen from the dead. Jesus meets the women, and they worship Him. He sends them to tell His brothers He has been resurrected from the dead and that they should go to Galilee. They will see Him there. (https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/28/Matthew-28-1.html)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The resurrection changes everything. This week we look at Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Resurrection

John 19:30, 38-42, Matthew 28:1-10, 16-17, 18-20

Jesus is Buried (John 19:38-42)

“³⁸ And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.³⁹ And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight.⁴⁰ Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.⁴¹ Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid. ⁴² There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulcher was nigh at hand.”

Jesus is dead. The Roman soldiers knew it, Pilate knew it, and Joseph of Arimathea knew it. Prophecy again was fulfilled. Isaiah 53:9 states, “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man. Jesus was buried in a rich man’s tomb.

There had to be a death and burial to have a resurrection. However, if there had only been a death and burial, Jesus would be no different from any other religious leader. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The resurrection changes everything. This week we look at Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Resurrection

John 19:30, 38-42, Matthew 28:1-10, 16-17, 18-20

Jesus Death (John 19:14-30)

Chief Priests (John 19:14-22)

“And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!¹⁵ But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. ¹⁶ Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.¹⁷ And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:¹⁸ Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.¹⁹ And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews.²⁰ This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.²¹ Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.²² Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

The Soldiers (John 19:23-24)

²³ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.²⁴ They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Jesus Mother (John 19:25-27)

²⁵ Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!²⁷ Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Jesus Death (John 19:28-30)

²⁸ After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.²⁹ Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.³⁰ When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

The chief priest and religious rulers fulfilled prophecy when they called for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus had to go to the cross, on our behalf, to become sin for us. He paid the penalty for our sin, death.

Where were all His disciples? They all fled except John. Even God the Father forsook Jesus. So if Jesus did this for us, why is it that we forsake Jesus? We fail to follow His directives found in the Bible. We put other things ahead of our relationship with Him. We need to repent and ask Jesus’ forgiveness. Jesus promised, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Jesus is Buried (John 19:38-42)

“³⁸ And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.³⁹ And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight.⁴⁰ Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.⁴¹ Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid. ⁴² There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulcher was nigh at hand.”

Jesus is dead. The Roman soldiers knew it, Pilate knew it, and Joseph of Arimathea knew it. Prophecy again was fulfilled. Isaiah 53:9 states, “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man. Jesus was buried in a rich man’s tomb.

There had to be a death and burial to have a resurrection. However, if there had only been a death and burial, Jesus would be no different from any other religious leader. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The resurrection changes everything. This week we look at Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Resurrection

John 19:30, 38-42, Matthew 28:1-10, 16-17, 18-20

Jesus Death (John 19:14-30)

Chief Priests (John 19:14-22)

“And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!¹⁵ But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. ¹⁶ Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.¹⁷ And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:¹⁸ Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.¹⁹ And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews.²⁰ This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.²¹ Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.²² Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

The Soldiers (John 19:23-24)

²³ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.²⁴ They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Jesus Mother (John 19:25-27)

²⁵ Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!²⁷ Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Jesus Death (John 19:28-30)

²⁸ After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.²⁹ Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.³⁰ When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

The chief priest and religious rulers fulfilled prophecy when they called for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus had to go to the cross, on our behalf, to become sin for us. He paid the penalty for our sin, death.

Where were all His disciples? They all fled except John. Even God the Father forsook Jesus. So if Jesus did this for us, why is it that we forsake Jesus? We fail to follow His directives found in the Bible. We put other things ahead of our relationship with Him. We need to repent and ask Jesus’ forgiveness. Jesus promised, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The evening of April 1, 2026, is the celebration of Passover. How are Jesus and Passover connected? That will be our study for this week.

What’s Jesus link to Passover?

How are Jesus and the Passover connected?

I. Introduction

Passover, an annual Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, holds significant meaning within biblical history. The question of how Jesus is connected to the Passover underscores deep theological themes that span from Exodus to the New Testament. By exploring Passover’s Old Testament origins and its culminating aspects in the life and ministry of Jesus, we gain a fuller understanding of how Scripture consistently portrays redemption through the sacrifice of the “Lamb of God.”

VIII. Historical and Modern Celebrations

Early Christians, particularly the Jewish believers, recognized and celebrated Passover through a new lens-seeing Christ as its fulfillment. Church fathers in the early centuries wrote about the close relationship of Jesus’ sacrificial death with Passover themes. Despite various ecclesiastical debates about the date of the celebration (the Quartodeciman controversy), the essential spiritual truth remained firm: Christ is the embodiment of the Passover Lamb.

To this day, many Christian communities observe Communion (the Lord’s Supper) around Passover to vividly recall that the Exodus event of Israel foreshadowed the grand story of salvation fulfilled by Jesus.

IX. Conclusion

From the original Exodus event to the death and resurrection of Jesus, Scripture consistently conveys the message that the Passover lamb foreshadowed a greater sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. The Lamb’s blood on the doorposts anticipated the blood of the Messiah shed on the cross. Jesus’ Last Supper was a Passover meal that He transformed to symbolize the new covenant, and His crucifixion coincided with the festival’s timing to highlight His identity as the ultimate Passover Lamb.

Passover thus not only marks a defining moment in Israel’s history but also points forward to the definitive act of deliverance in Jesus. The convergence of these truths testifies to the Bible’s consistent and coherent message of redemption. Through ancient accounts (such as the Exodus and historically documented Passover observances) and culminating in the Gospels, the Scriptures reveal that the Lamb slain in Egypt was a precursor to the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. (Bible Hub, Questions and Answers)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The evening of April 1, 2026, is the celebration of Passover. How are Jesus and Passover connected? That will be our study for this week.

What’s Jesus link to Passover?

How are Jesus and the Passover connected?

I. Introduction

Passover, an annual Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, holds significant meaning within biblical history. The question of how Jesus is connected to the Passover underscores deep theological themes that span from Exodus to the New Testament. By exploring Passover’s Old Testament origins and its culminating aspects in the life and ministry of Jesus, we gain a fuller understanding of how Scripture consistently portrays redemption through the sacrifice of the “Lamb of God.”

V. The Last Supper as a Passover Meal

The Gospels describe Jesus celebrating the Passover with His disciples shortly before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:17-20; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13). Known commonly as the Last Supper, it retains the form of the traditional Jewish Passover meal. Yet Jesus transformed its meaning by reframing the bread and wine as symbols of His impending sacrifice:

“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.’” (Luke 22:19-20)

The bread now represented His body, and the wine His blood, revealing that He ultimately fulfills the Passover. The timing-taking place during Passover week-strongly connects His death to the sacrificial typology that the festival had foreshadowed since Exodus.

VI. The Crucifixion and Passover Timing

All four Gospels indicate that Jesus’ crucifixion occurred around the time of the Passover feast. Historical sources such as Josephus (“Antiquities of the Jews” 18.3.3) corroborate that the Passover was indeed one of the major pilgrimage festivals, drawing large crowds to Jerusalem, aligning with the scriptural accounts of Jesus’ final days.

In John’s Gospel, the crucifixion is specifically noted to coincide with the preparation day of the Passover (John 19:14). This highlights again that, at the time the Passover lambs were being slain, Jesus was being sacrificed for the sins of the world-fulfilling the deeper meaning of Passover.

VII. Theological Significance

1. Deliverance from Sin and Death

In the same way that the blood of the Passover lamb rescued the Israelites from divine judgment in Egypt, Jesus’ blood rescues believers from the penalty of sin (Romans 5:8-9). Passover, therefore, is no longer merely historical ritual. In Christ, it points to ultimate, eternal deliverance.

2. Inauguration of the New Covenant

Jesus’ reference, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood” (Luke 22:20), reveals the establishment of a new relationship between God and humanity. Echoing Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Ezekiel 36:26-27, this is a covenant in which God’s law is written on the hearts of believers.

3. Remembrance and Worship

Just as Jewish believers were commanded to keep the Passover as a memorial (Exodus 12:14), Christians observe the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. This ongoing practice unites believers with the redemptive history begun at the Exodus and brought to fullness in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The evening of April 1, 2026, is the celebration of Passover. How are Jesus and Passover connected? That will be our study for this week.

What’s Jesus Link to Passover?

How are Jesus and the Passover connected?

I. Introduction

Passover, an annual Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, holds significant meaning within biblical history. The question of how Jesus is connected to the Passover underscores deep theological themes that span from Exodus to the New Testament. By exploring Passover’s Old Testament origins and its culminating aspects in the life and ministry of Jesus, we gain a fuller understanding of how Scripture consistently portrays redemption through the sacrifice of the “Lamb of God.”

II. Old Testament Foundations of Passover

Passover (Hebrew: Pesach) was instituted during the Exodus when Yahweh commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb, place its blood on their doorposts, and eat the lamb as part of a special meal (Exodus 12:3-14).

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: ⁴And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. ⁵Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: ⁶And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. ⁷And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. ⁸And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. ⁹Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. ¹⁰And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. ¹¹And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover. ¹²For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. ¹³And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.¹⁴And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. ”

This act distinguished them from the Egyptians at a time when Yahweh struck all the firstborn of Egypt. According to the text, the blood was a sign of divine protection:

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. ¹³And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:12-13)

This event was such a defining moment that the people of Israel were commanded to remember it annually as a perpetual ordinance (Exodus 12:14). The Passover meal included specific elements-unleavened bread (matzo), bitter herbs, and the Passover lamb-underscoring themes of haste, deliverance, and sacrificial atonement.

III. Foreshadowings of a Greater Deliverance

Throughout the Old Testament, prophetical writings and typologies hinted at a future, greater redemption. The sacrificial system in Leviticus (cf. Leviticus 16) and passages like Isaiah 53 pointed to a suffering servant who would bear sins on behalf of others. The Passover lamb’s blood, which protected Israel from death, was a recurring symbol of a more permanent sacrifice to come.

Further historical and archaeological findings (such as certain passages in the Dead Sea Scrolls that reference Isaiah’s prophecies) corroborate the central role of sacrifice and atonement in the Jewish understanding of redemption. These pre-Christian Jewish documents illuminate how the community at Qumran looked forward to a Messiah figure who would bring ultimate salvation. Passover, therefore, was more than a historical commemoration-it was a signpost directing attention to a future deliverer.

IV. Jesus as the Passover Lamb

When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). This label directly connected Jesus to the Passover lamb-offered at the first sign of national deliverance for Israel. The New Testament writers consistently link Jesus’ atoning work with that of the sacrificial lamb demanded by God’s justice.

The Apostle Paul later emphasized this connection: “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). By calling Jesus the Passover Lamb, Paul underlined that just as the original Passover lamb delivered Israel from physical bondage, Jesus’ sacrifice frees believers from the spiritual bondage of sin.

V. The Last Supper as a Passover Meal

The Gospels describe Jesus celebrating the Passover with His disciples shortly before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:17-20; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13). Known commonly as the Last Supper, it retains the form of the traditional Jewish Passover meal. Yet Jesus transformed its meaning by reframing the bread and wine as symbols of His impending sacrifice:

“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.’” (Luke 22:19-20)

The bread now represented His body, and the wine His blood, revealing that He ultimately fulfills the Passover. The timing-taking place during Passover week-strongly connects His death to the sacrificial typology that the festival had foreshadowed since Exodus.

VI. The Crucifixion and Passover Timing

All four Gospels indicate that Jesus’ crucifixion occurred around the time of the Passover feast. Historical sources such as Josephus (“Antiquities of the Jews” 18.3.3) corroborate that the Passover was indeed one of the major pilgrimage festivals, drawing large crowds to Jerusalem, aligning with the scriptural accounts of Jesus’ final days.

In John’s Gospel, the crucifixion is specifically noted to coincide with the preparation day of the Passover (John 19:14). This highlights again that, at the time the Passover lambs were being slain, Jesus was being sacrificed for the sins of the world-fulfilling the deeper meaning of Passover.

VII. Theological Significance

1. Deliverance from Sin and Death

In the same way that the blood of the Passover lamb rescued the Israelites from divine judgment in Egypt, Jesus’ blood rescues believers from the penalty of sin (Romans 5:8-9). Passover, therefore, is no longer merely historical ritual. In Christ, it points to ultimate, eternal deliverance.

2. Inauguration of the New Covenant

Jesus’ reference, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood” (Luke 22:20), reveals the establishment of a new relationship between God and humanity. Echoing Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Ezekiel 36:26-27, this is a covenant in which God’s law is written on the hearts of believers.

3. Remembrance and Worship

Just as Jewish believers were commanded to keep the Passover as a memorial (Exodus 12:14), Christians observe the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. This ongoing practice unites believers with the redemptive history begun at the Exodus and brought to fullness in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

VIII. Historical and Modern Celebrations

Early Christians, particularly the Jewish believers, recognized and celebrated Passover through a new lens-seeing Christ as its fulfillment. Church fathers in the early centuries wrote about the close relationship of Jesus’ sacrificial death with Passover themes. Despite various ecclesiastical debates about the date of the celebration (the Quartodeciman controversy), the essential spiritual truth remained firm: Christ is the embodiment of the Passover Lamb.

To this day, many Christian communities observe Communion (the Lord’s Supper) around Passover to vividly recall that the Exodus event of Israel foreshadowed the grand story of salvation fulfilled by Jesus.

IX. Conclusion

From the original Exodus event to the death and resurrection of Jesus, Scripture consistently conveys the message that the Passover lamb foreshadowed a greater sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. The Lamb’s blood on the doorposts anticipated the blood of the Messiah shed on the cross. Jesus’ Last Supper was a Passover meal that He transformed to symbolize the new covenant, and His crucifixion coincided with the festival’s timing to highlight His identity as the ultimate Passover Lamb.

Passover thus not only marks a defining moment in Israel’s history but also points forward to the definitive act of deliverance in Jesus. The convergence of these truths testifies to the Bible’s consistent and coherent message of redemption. Through ancient accounts (such as the Exodus and historically documented Passover observances) and culminating in the Gospels, the Scriptures reveal that the Lamb slain in Egypt was a precursor to the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. (Bible Hub, Questions and Answers)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com