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Christ Our Passover

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 23, 1902

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 38.

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Christ Our Passover

By Uriah Smith

ONE of the principal festivals of the Jews was called “the passover.” The name was derived from the fact that when God was about to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, they were ordered to select a lamb without blemish, and with the blood of that slain lamb strike the lintel and the door posts of the house, that when the destroying angel went through the land to cut off the firstborn of the Egyptians, he should see this sign, and pass over the houses so marked, and destroy them not. The importance of the passover in its literal application, at once becomes apparent, and also in its spiritual application. All Christians have an interest in this subject; for the apostle says that “even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” 1 Cor. 5:7.
The instruction given to the Israelites thus becomes pertinent to us. Through Moses these directions were given: “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: and if the household be too little for a lamb, let him and his neighbor 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.” Ex. 12:3, 4.
The whole subject of the passover is full of instruction, and according to the apostle these words were written for our admonition. 1 Cor. 10:11. Let us note some of the instruction of the text, which we may turn to our profit. The instruction is intensely personal. A lamb was to be taken by every man. Thus all were to have a part in this work. The passover was to be all eaten, and to be eaten by all, and to be eaten at the same time. Christ is our passover. He is our living bread. John 6:51. We are commanded to partake freely of this bread from heaven, “every man according to his eating.” This should be to us a delicious repast, and should be enjoyed by all the household; for the distribution is “a lamb for an house;” that is, one for each house. Parents, children, and servants may all be partakers of Christ. By teaching, training, praying, and setting a holy example, this blessing may be secured. Other texts promise the same wide application of the blessing: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31.
If there were not a sufficient number in the family to make a full board at the passover feast, they were to call in their next-door neighbors. So in the gospel feast, the invitation has been graciously sent out, and a cordial welcome extended to all. And here we are to imitate the example set by the Israelites, and invite our nearest neighbors and friends. Our next neighbors have the first claim upon us, to share in the offers we have to extend. Such are apt to be most easily reached by us, and are more likely to be influenced by our solicitations than others. At any rate, there is the rule, and we are to obey it, “Beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:47. We read of Andrew, that “he first findeth his own brother Simon.” John 1:41.
If our neighbor does not come when invited, we are not responsible; but if he perishes because he was not invited, then bloodguiltiness will be upon us.
The marriage must be furnished with guests. The supper furnished at such infinite cost must not be permitted to go by, by default. “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23. The Lord said to Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark.” Gen. 7:1. True religion thinks of the “house.”
“I once knew a man,” says C. H. Spurgeon, “who walked a long distance to hear what he called ‘the truth.’ Neither his wife nor any of the children attended any place of worship. When I asked him about them, he replied to me, that ‘the Lord would save his own.’ I could not help replying that the Lord would not own him as one worthy to be saved. When he demanded a warrant for this saying, I gave him this: ‘But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.’ 1 Tim. 5:8.”
A little boy once asked his mother which of the characters in the “Pilgrim’s Progress” she liked best. She replied, “Christian, of course; for he is the hero of the whole story.” Her son replied, “I don’t, mother, I like Christiana the best; for when Christian started on his pilgrimage, he started alone; but when Christiana went, she took the children with her.”
We once read of a man going to his work, one morning, when he was told that a reservoir in the river above had broken its banks, and was sweeping the valley, carrying death and destruction wherever it went. His informant did not seem much concerned about the matter; but the brave workman immediately responded, “If that is so, somebody has got to let the people know about it;” and he immediately dashed off down the valley, shouting out a frantic warning to all he could reach. By his timely efforts many lives were saved.
The last thing that was supplied to the great marriage feast was guests. The proclamation now is, “My oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready.” Matt. 22:4. Soon the wedding will be furnished with guests, and the door will be shut. “Let him that heareth say, Come.” U. S.