Unpacking the Significance of Passover as the High Sabbath

Learn about Passover, when to celebrate, and why we celebrate it as Christians.

Passover or Pesach in the Hebrew tongue means to ‘passover’ and the high sabbath began in the book of Exodus.

In response to their cries for freedom, God sent Moses to lead the people of Israel out of bondage. As part of the series of plagues that were inflicted upon the Egyptians to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites, the tenth and final plague was the death of the firstborn. To protect the Hebrew families from this devastating fate, God instructed them to mark their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificial lamb. This act of faith would signal the death angel to pass over their homes, sparing them from the calamity that befell the Egyptians. The high sabbath of Passover commemorates this day.

Christ ushered in a new covenant: Why Christians should observe Passover

The observance of this high sabbath of Passover has been ushered in through the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ for modern-day Christians. Christ became the ultimate sacrifice when he died on the cross, abolishing blood ordinances. This is documented in Hebrews 10:1-10 KJV.

8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Additionally, Luke 6:5 tells us that Christ is the LORD of the Sabbath, and the apostle Paul talks about how Christians, should keep the high sabbath as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice for us.

7 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: 8 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.

Easter and Passover, what's the difference?

No, Easter and Passover are not the same. The two are very different, and although many Christians choose to call the holiday 'Resurrection Sunday,' due to Easter's pagan roots, it is important to take It a step further and understand when Passover is celebrated so that you are observing it properly. 

Passover is always observed 14 days after the Spring Equinox, which is either March 20 or March 21st, depending on the calendar year. This is because, in Exodus chapter 12, Moses and Aaron instructed the Israelites to observe Passover in the first month of the year, Abib (March/April), which the Spring Equinox ushers in. Exodus 12:1-6  tells us that the high sabbath is observed on the fourteenth day of that month. 

Hebrew Calendar vs. The Traditional Gregorian Calendar

For a detailed study on the pagan roots of Easter and the significance of Passover check out our video titled 'The Truth About Easter' on The Good Fig Network App:

It is also important to note that Jesus Christ was sentenced to death, nailed to the cross, buried, and rose from the dead all during the holy week of Passover, cementing the true holiness of the holiday. If you would like to learn more about the historical dates and events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, please watch our video titled 'Countdown to Passover: From Crucifixion To Resurrection' premiering next week on the Good Fig Network App.

Thank you for reading and we hope it gave you the clarity you are looking for. Listen to last year's Passover message taught by Pastor Randall Crawford Sr. HERE.