Passover vs Easter
Origin of the Passover (Exodus 12:1-51)
Passover is one night occurring on the fourteenth of Abib followed by Feast of Days of Unleavened Bread. The “Passover” originated when God passed over the children of Israel and saved them but slew all Egyptians first born. God commanded Moses and the children of Israel to put the blood of the lamb on their door posts as a token. When the Lord saw the blood he passed the children of Israel but slew the Egyptians.
God commanded for the Passover to be observed as a memorial of his mighty deliverance of Israel from bondage by an ordinance forever (Exodus 12:42). There should be no leaven seen or eaten from the Passover night until the seven days of the Feast of Unleavened are finished (Exodus 12: 18-20). Leaven according to dictionary definition, is any substance such as yeast that causes dough to rise by fermentation.
Did Jesus observe the Passover? Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat…And they went and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God (St. Luke 22: 7-8, 13-16).
Did Jesus come to replace the Passover with Holy Communion? It is recorded in the scriptures that Jesus ate both the Passover and Holy Communion on the night he was betrayed (St. Luke 22:7-22, St. Matthew 26:17-28). Jesus ate the Passover, as he said he did not come to destroy the law or the prophets, but he came to fulfil them (St. Matthew 5:17).
What is the significance of the absence of leaven. Jesus Christ represents both the Passover and Holy Communion. The Passover as the sinless lamb of God (St. John 1: 29)(St. Matthew 26:26-28). Celebration of both the Passover and Holy Communion should be with unleavened bread and total elimination of any leaven. Leaven is a symbol of both corruption and sin. Jesus did not see corruption (Psalms 16:10). Furthermore: “ye were not redeemed by corruptible things” (I Peter 18-19). The presence of leaven whether during the Passover or Holy Communion will misrepresent Christ’s purity and holiness and Holy Communion as bread and water are symbols of Christ’s body and blood, offered to remember his death and suffering .
Did the disciples observe the Passover after Jesus? 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: 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 (I Corinthians 5: -8; Acts 12:1-4). Paul also taught about the Passover in the above paragraph and of Holy Communion in I Corinthians chapter 10 and 11.
Comparisons between Passover and Holy Communion
Passover is to be observed in its appointed season, once a year (Numbers 9:1-5); whilst Holy Communion can be taken anytime of the year and as often as the spirit directs (I Corinthians 11:26). Passover is the memorial of the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage but the Holy Communion is the memorial of Christ’s death and suffering (I Corinthians 11: 26). Passover begins at even (Leviticus 23:5) but the Holy Communion has no time allocation when it can be taken.
Is the Passover the same thing as Easter? The origin of the Passover can be traced throughout the scriptures. But no such evidence is available in the scriptures about Easter.
Where does Easter come from? Easter is an ancient tradition of pagan nations which did not know God and celebrated one of their goddesses in the Spring time. Easter was celebrated with hot cross buns (Jeremiah 7:16-18). Easter originally among other things, celebrated Ishtar who was revered as the Queen of Heaven and the goddesss of love and fertility whose symbols were bunnies (rabbits) and eggs as it is today.
Some of the Differences between Passover and Easter
Passover is a sacrificed at even, at the going down of the sun (Deuteronomy 16:6) whereas Easter is celebrated at sunrise. Passover is celebrated with unleavened bread (Exodus 12:15) whereas it is the rite of Easter to celebrate with the hot cross buns which contain leaven (yeast, baking soda and or other raising agents). Passover celebrates Israel’s deliverance and was foreshadowing the death and suffering of Jesus Christ, whereas “modified” Easter as celebrated by professing Christians today celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Passover is an ordinance by God (Exodus 12:14) whereas Easter is a traditional and cultural festival which was adopted into Christianity by the directive of man.
What Biblical inconsistency does Easter sunrise service present?(St. John 20:1). Christ was not resurrected at sunrise. Whilst it was yet dark, Christ was already risen. “And early came Mary Magdelene, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre”
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Colossians 2:8).
Reference Source: Search the Scriptures: Sabbath School Manual and Study Guide