At sundown on April 8, God’s annual Feast of Passover began.

This is a very familiar event in the lives of Jewish families.

But it is also a vital part of Christianity.

Christianity would not exist had there not been the Passover.

The first Passover happened about 1500 BC in Egypt.

The Hebrew Children of Israel had been enslaved by the Egyptians for over 200 years.

But God had made a promise to Abraham that his descendants would be a great nation and have a land “flowing with milk and honey.”

Moses was sent by God to lead the people from bondage to freedom in the Promised Land.

But Pharaoh defied the Lord and refused to let the people go.

So God sent 10 plagues upon the land until Pharaoh relented.

The 10th plague was to be the sudden death of every first-born male throughout the land.

The only families spared were those who followed the Lord’s instructions.

They were to stay indoors and place the blood of a sacrificed lamb over the doorposts of their homes.

For those who obeyed this command of the Lord, death passed over their dwelling--hence the name, “Passover.”

What makes this year’s Passover especially meaningful to us?

Like the first Passover, we too are gathered indoors with those we love while a plague called covid-19 is passing through our land.

But we do not apply blood to our doors.

Believers apply the blood of The Lamb over the doorpost of their hearts.

By faith, we pray that this plague will soon pass over us.

The Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples was the Passover.

He became our Passover Lamb.

Isaiah 53:7 says, “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.”

But on the third day, He rose from the dead!

He now invites you to receive His pardon for your sins.

There is an appointment with physical death for every person.

But there is everlasting life for all who call upon the name of the One who conquered death.

Let’s celebrate His glorious Resurrection this Sunday.

Next Week: Are you afraid of dying?

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.