Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread
Luke 22:1:
"Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover."
The Passover, also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is yet another one of the Most High's Holy Days. This convocation is kept to remember the day when the Children of Israel was delivered from slavery in ancient Egypt. The name “Passover” was attributed to this holy day because the Most High brought the curse of the slaying of the firstborn upon the land of Egypt. The blood which was sprinkled on the two side posts would cause the destroyer to “passover” the homes of those that kept this ordinance (Exodus 12:12-13, 21-23). This ordinance was to be taught and observed by every generation.
Exodus 12:26:
"And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?" Verse 27:"That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped."
Exodus 12:30
"And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead." Verse 31: "And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said." Verse 32:"Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also." Verse 33:"And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men." Verse 34:"And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders."
Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread is kept in the first month of the true year (Abib) on the 14th day at evening. This date coincides with the spring season. The Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread is kept for seven days. During these seven days of the feast, no leavened foods or products can be eaten. Instead we must eat “unleavened” bread during the feast week.
Exodus 34:18:
"The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt."
Exodus 12:18:
"In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.”
Exodus 12:19:
"Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land." Verse 20: "Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread."
Exodus 12:16:
"And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you."
It is also commanded that we take a lamb to roast and eat it for the Passover.
Exodus 12:21:
"Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover."
This is done as a testimony and similitude that Christ has become the lamb without blemish for Israel, and through him we shall receive deliverance from our sins and bondage as our fathers did from Egypt.
1 Corinthians 5:7:
"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:"
Verse 8: "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
Jeremiah 16:14:
"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;" Verse 15: "But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers."
Many neglect this feast not realizing that Christ and his disciples kept this holy day as the law commands.
Luke 22:8
"8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat."
Luke 22:8-12 describes how Christ kept the Passover with his disciples and how they prepared the same meal that we are to eat today on this High Holy Day.
The Passover meal consists of Lamb or Goat (Exodus 12:5), bitter herbs, unleavened bread (read Exodus 12:8) and Wine (read Matthew 26:18-20, 26-29). Exodus chapter 12 instructs us on how to prepare the Passover Meal.
Exodus 12:17:
"And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever."