Dear Reader, I assume you know that this weekend is the Easter Weekend. However, I wouldn’t be wrong to assume that not everyone knows that this week is also the Jewish Passover, ending on Sunday, 20 April. Sadly, the connection is often missed and in many cases never known.

The Passover

In the time of Moses, Pharaoh would not let the Israelites depart from their captivity, and what followed were ten plagues with the final plague being what’s known as the Passover. Exodus 12:3 onward – “‘Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fires along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn – both men and animals – and I will bring judgement on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord – a lasting ordinance.’” It continues further on, “Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and He will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down’” (Exodus 12:3,5–8,12–14,21–23).

One of the Passover restrictions about the lamb found further along in this passage is – “Do not break any of the bones”’ (Exodus 12:46b).

What does this have to do with Jesus and the Crucifixion? Everything!

The Connection with Christ

It was the lamb’s blood that was placed on the house as a covering; it was the lamb’s blood that was put at three places on the doorframe, which would have dripped down onto the ground like what would have happened on the Cross; it was the lamb’s blood that spared their lives; and it was the acceptance of the sacrificial lamb that led the people out of bondage and into the Promised Land, the land of abundance and freedom. It was to be a celebration that marked a new beginning, a new chapter, a new life for the Israelites, and it was to be a lasting ordinance for every generation to come.

The Gospel of John tells us, “‘I baptise with water,’ John [the Baptist] replied, ‘but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’ The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him but the reason I came baptising with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.’ Then John [the Baptist] gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.” I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.’ The next day John [the Baptist] was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’”’ (John 1:26–27,29–36).

The Gospel of Matthew says, “On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ He replied, ‘Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’” (Matthew 26:17–19,26–29).

The Gospel of Luke puts it slightly differently, “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 the 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).

In the book of Revelation, the following is recorded, “Then I saw in the right hand of Him (God) who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no-one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no-one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the centre of the throne. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. And they sang a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open the seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.’ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!’”’ (Revelation 5:1–6a,7,9,11a,12–13).

Not one of the Passover lamb’s bones were to be broken, and the apostle John tells us the following: “Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’ and, as another Scripture says, ‘They will look on the one they have pierced’”’ (John 19:31–34,36; Zechariah 12:10).

So you have, in the form of the Passover, God instituting the celebration of a new beginning, a new freedom, a new life through the sacrifice of a lamb. You have John the Baptist proclaiming the true Lamb of God. You have Jesus revealing to His disciples the purpose of what He was to be, and you have the angels in heaven praising the glory of the risen Lamb, His work, accomplishment and equality with God on the throne. Would God give his glory to another? Would angels dare to bow down and worship him who was not God? Would they dare to proclaim that which was false? No! So the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the Messiah (Saviour), is also revealed as the Lamb who was slain, the true Passover Lamb!

In light of the Crucifixion

So how does it all fit in, and what does God think of us in light of the Crucifixion?
The book of Mark says, “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified. The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on Him, then wove a crown of thorns and set it on Him. And they began to call out to Him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ Again and again they struck Him on the head with a staff and spat on Him. Falling on their knees, they worshipped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him”’ (Mark 15:15–20). Not a pretty spectacle if you ask me! And who was Barabbas? The first name of Barabbas was Jesus, Jesus Barabbas. His surname means “son of the father” (bar means son, and abba means father). He was an insurrectionist, a murderer, but the people wanted him freed. They chose “Jesus son of the father” and rejected “Jesus Son of the Father”. The people chose an insurrectionist, a murderer, over the Messiah, the Saviour!

Dear Reader, if you had to appear before God the Father, what would you say to Him if He asked you why He should let you into Heaven? And How does God see us?

You may say, “God, have you seen my morals and all, my community and social standing? I am well looked up to by everyone.”
In light of the Crucifixion, God would answer, “Next to you I’d rather have Barabbas! Your conduct before me is so disgraceful that My Son had to be crucified and Barabbas, an insurrectionist, a murderer, remained behind.”

“What about my dominion, God? My authority, my kingship, my sphere of influence?”
God would answer, “You are a fallen king; spit on him, slap him in the face with an open palm.” (It is an absolute insult to be slapped like that.) “Put a reed in his hand; you’re a mockery of a king.”

“What about the burden I carry for my family, my work, my country?”
“Flog him!”

“What about my physical beauty, God? I’m a pure work of art.”
God would answer, “Just as there were many who were appalled at Him – His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness” (Isaiah 52:14). (This was what Jesus looked like when they had finished beating him up!) “Your beauty will not stand!”

“What about my college and university degrees, God? What about my intellect? Don’t you think I’m brilliant? Don’t you think I’m smart?”
“A crown of thorns for him, pressed down over his mind so that the blood gushes out. Thorns were a judgement, and the carnal mind is under my judgement.” (Thorns were a curse that God pronounced upon the earth because of Adam’s sin, and Jesus took upon his head that very curse of sin).

“What about the good works of my hands, God?”
“Nail his hands to the cross!”

“What about my walk before man and you, God?”
“Nail his feet to the cross!”

“What about my modesty, God? I’m really a humble person.”
“Strip him naked and divide his garment, until all that is really in him is revealed.”

“What about my emotions, my affections, God? I have in a way loved you.”
“The words of Jeremiah are true – ‘The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?’ (Jeremiah 17:9). Take the spear and pierce his side.”

As a last resort, you may appeal to God’s love as the world so impressively does. “How am I to be accepted in your presence then, God? Do you not love me?”
In light of the Crucifixion, God would pronounce the following: “The very words spoken in judgement by the people [as recorded in John 19:15] against Jesus are the very words of judgement I proclaim against you – Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

The Choice

Thankfully we have a hope. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). The apostle Paul expands upon it and says, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:9–10). This is not just a once-off declaration, it’s a way of life. It’s the outward words and working of what the heart inwardly believes. Peter also tells us in Acts 3 to repent and turn to God, so that our sins may be wiped out (Acts 3:19).

For approximately 1500 years, from the time of the exodus from Egypt up until the time of Jesus, the Israelites were practising the Passover festival. God had given them a practical explanation of what was to come, what was going to be done and the spiritual salvation He would bring to them and the world. The anniversary dates of when the Israelites went into captivity, of when they came out of captivity, and on which the Lamb of God was slain for the redemption of mankind are the same. Had the Israelites not accepted the sacrificial lamb, had they not applied the blood of the lamb to their doorframes, they wouldn’t have been spared by God. God requires us in the same way to accept the sacrificial Lamb of God and to come under the covering of His blood; otherwise, we’ll not be spared by Him.

But why the sacrifice? Scripture says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). Forgiveness of sins requires the sacrifice of a life. It is a life for a life, and Jesus became our substitute, our atonement, because the blood of animals cannot truly do so, it was a foreshadowing of what was to come. As scripture says, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said [quoted Psalm 40], ‘Sacrifice and offering You (God) did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, “Behold, I have come – in the volume of the book (Old Testament) it is written of Me – to do Your will, O God”’” (Hebrews 10:4–7).

The apostle Paul tells us that sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12). He goes on to say, “Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man [Adam] the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man [Jesus] the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:18–19).

No man on the face of this earth, from Adam to the present day, could have paid the price or made the sacrifice, except Jesus Christ. Why not, you may ask? Because there has never been a man on the face of this earth who has been sinless, except Jesus Christ. Death entered the world though sin, so how could a sinful man bring about life? He could not, but Jesus was sinless, so the curse of death could not rule over Him. Paul tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The preceding verse, Romans 3:22, says, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Jesus Himself said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

A man who was in hospital for a check-up was speaking to a nurse about the need for salvation. She asked the man the following question: “What have I done that is so bad that God will send me to hell?” To put this in perspective, let me ask the following: what did Eve do that was so bad that she should be condemned to death and exiled from the Garden of Eden and from having access to the Tree of Life? The point is that it’s not just an issue of being bad but of being righteous. The prophet Isaiah tells us that all of us have become like one who is unclean, and that all our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Before God we cannot stand on our own, no matter what we have or haven’t done, how much money we have or give or how clever or educated we are. Before God we are like one who is unclean and our righteous acts are like filthy rags. The biggest problem is that the world measures it all by its own yardstick, not by God’s, and this leaves man in a dangerous place of false security – we dare not do it!

The apostle John tells us, “He who has the Son has life; He who does not have the Son of God, does not have eternal life” (1 John 5:12), and that “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).

Barabbas was an insurrectionist and a murderer. The devil is also an insurrectionist and a murderer. Jesus said that the devil is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44) and that he is a thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but that He Himself had come that we may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). We, today, stand as those people did 2000 years ago and are asked to make the same choice.

Dear Reader, who are you embracing? Who are you calling to be crucified? Who are you shouting for? Who do you want to lead you? Are you going to turn your back on Jesus, the Christ, and reject Him as well? Or have you recognised your need for Him as your Saviour, acknowledged the accomplished work of the Cross, repented of your sins and accepted and embraced Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, the true life and Gift of God?