The Exodus and Easter

Easter is linked to the Passover and Exodus from Egypt recorded in the Old Testament through the Last Supper and crucifixion that preceded the resurrection. According to the narratives of the New Testament, Jesus gave the Passover meal a new meaning, as he prepared himself and his disciples for his death in the upper room during the Last Supper. He identified the loaf of bread and cup of wine as symbolizing his body soon to be sacrificed and his blood soon to be shed. 1 Corinthians 5:7 states, "Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed"; this refers to the Passover requirement to have no yeast in the house and to the allegory of Jesus as the Paschal lamb.

Moses led the Israelites out of their slavery in Egypt. Christ leads us out of spiritual slavery in sin. The blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from the death of the first born. The blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) delivers us from spiritual death and gains for us eternal life. Christ is the new Moses. Christ is the ultimate Passover.

The parallels between the Exodus and Easter are many. Christ leads us out of the wilderness of death. He guides us on our journey to the Promised Land that is Heaven. The night before the Israelites began their journey towards Canaan, they were told to wait and be ready. The night before Christ was delivered up to die, he asked the apostles to wait and be ready with him.