Seven Reasons Why Christians
Should Celebrate Passover
March 10, 2009
Most Christians today don't celebrate Passover. They believe it to be a command given to Israel only and stood as a tenant of the Old Covenant. In spite of the simple fact that there is no biblical command to disavow the celebration of Passover, most of Christendom offer considerable objection to Christian observance of Passover. When asked the question should Christians celebrate Passover? What usually follows is a convoluted justification based on Colossians 2:16 – 17 and Romans 14:5.
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16 – 17 KJV)
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5 KJV)
I offer you the following Seven Reasons Why Christians Should Celebrate Passover:
1.) Jesus Celebrated Passover from his youth until his death — “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. (Luke 2:41 – 42 KJV)
And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?” (Mark 14:12 KJV)
2.) The bible teaches that those who truly believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and love him, are not perfect until they walk as he walked — “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”(1 John 2: 5 ) 6 KJV–
3.) Contrary to most Christian teachings about the Apostle Paul and his post–resurrection views on so called “Jewish Feast” the bible actually portrays him as an ardent feast keeper including the feast of Passover – “When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; but bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.“(Acts 18:20 – 21 KJV)
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.” (1 Corinthians 5:7 – 8 KJV)
4.) The highest of the highest endorsement of Passover and feast observances comes from our God the Omnipotent creator of all things as he proclaims sole proprietorship of them. This statement in itself serves as a repudiation of any contrived so called “religious celebration” that's born out of the traditions of men — “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.” (Leviticus 23:2 KJV)
5.) It is widely known and accepted among biblical scholars that most Christians holidays such as Christmas, Easter and St. Valentine's Day have their roots in pagan worship. Why then would Christians rather identify with heathen practices than with customs that have their roots in scripture when it is clear that the bible teaches against adopting the people's customs — “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.” (Jeremiah 10:2 – 3 KJV)
6.) Jesus gave special request of all believers that they eat the broken bread and drink the cup in remembrance of his death. There was no such request for a resurrection commemoration or celebration. Shouldn't Christians honor his request and not create our own celebrations? — “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19 KJV)
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.” (1 Corinthians 11:26 KJV)
7.) Commemorative celebrations are held annually on the date of the event being marked not daily, weekly or monthly. Jesus death took place during the Passover season and should be commemorated during the Passover. — “But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?(John 18:39 KJV)
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.”(Matthew 27:15 KJV)
There you have it seven biblically sound reasons for celebrating Passover. When we partake of the Passover, we relive and share in the commemorative remembrance of the death of Jesus. Passover is also a reminder that we as follower of Christ have a promise of sitting at the table with him in the regeneration. It was Jesus desire to partake of his last Passover Supper with his disciples before he suffered the horrible death of Calvary. It is also his desire to celebrate Passover with every Christian at his second coming. Why not embrace the truths of the Bible and shun the traditions of man?