There are major differences between the Good Friday – Easter tradition and the biblical Passover- Unleavened Bread festival that relate to the issue of faith and obedience. Are we following the biblical instructions and ‘hitting the target’ or are we ‘missing the mark’ and continuing in sin. Are we disobedient like Adam who heard God’s instructions but did not do them? Or, are we following in Jesus’ footsteps who both listened to and performed all the the Father had asked him to do?
We demonstrate our obedience to God, in that having been forgiven, we step out in faith to do and to teach others to do God’s will in all matters. The stories relating to the Passover give us a powerful testimony of the need for faithful obedience. Moses had rehearsed all of God’s instructions to the Israelites. They were to kill a perfect lamb, put its blood around their doors, and be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. This they did exactly as they had been instructed by God, and he protected them from the death angel that killed the Egyptian firstborn. But now that they were leaving Egypt — whether Israelite or Gentile — they were required to eat unleavened bread for the week. And there was a powerful spiritual lesson in this physical action.
Paul explained to the Gentile converts of his day that the leaven was a symbol of the corrupting influence of sin. God wanted the people to put out the malice and wickedness that caused them to stray from his way. He wanted them to embrace sincerity and truth —prioritizing God’s right way of living with motives that were pure. This group of brethren in Corinth had begun to keep the spring festival by putting out the leaven physically speaking. This was a good first step. But they needed to also eliminate the spiritual leaven that was threatening to destroy their fellowship. Paul reminded them of the lessons of the Passover season — faith and obedience.
There are three other examples of Passover in the Hebrew scriptures that attest to this important lesson of obedience. Joshua and Rahab’s faith and obedience are extolled in the book of Hebrews. Hezekiah and Josiah’s faith and obedience in keeping Passover helped begin times of renewal and revival for the whole nation. The Lord God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He corrects those he loves, and asks his people to be disciplined and obedient children who listen to him and are prepared to take action on God’s behalf.
Learn more about the meaning of the spring feast season:
