This chapter gives an account of one of the most memorable ordinances, and one of the most memorable providences, of all that are recorded in the Old Testament. Not one of all the ordinances of the Jewish church was more eminent than that of the Passover, nor is any one more frequently mentioned in the New Testament; and we have here an account of the institution to it. The ordinance consisted of three parts

• 1. The killing and eating of the paschal lamb (v. 1–6, 8-11).
• 2. The sprinkling of the blood upon the door-posts, spoken of as a distinct thing (Heb. 11:28), and peculiar to this first Passover (v. 7), with the reason for it (v. 13).
• 3. The feast of unleavened bread for seven days following; this points rather at what was to be done afterwards, in the observance of this ordinance (v. 14–20). This institution is communicated to the people, and they are instructed in the observance,

 And the Israelites’ obedience to these orders (v. 28). II. Not one of all the providences of God concerning the Jewish church was more illustrious, or is more frequently mentioned, than the deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt.

 

The sprinkled blood was a means of the preservation of the Israelites from the destroying angel, who had nothing to do where the blood was. If the blood of Christ be sprinkled upon our consciences, it will be our protection from the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and the damnation of hell, Rom. 8:1. 3.

Parellels between the paschal lamb and Christian Eucharist in the early church according to Matthew Henry:

• (1.) The paschal lamb was killed, not to be looked upon only, but to be fed upon; so we must by faith make Christ ours, as we do that which we eat, and we must receive spiritual strength and nourishment from him... Jn. 6:53–55.
• (2.) It was to be all eaten; those that by faith feed upon Christ must feed upon a whole Christ; they must take Christ and his yoke, Christ and his cross, as well as Christ and his crown. Is Christ divided? Those hat gather much of Christ will have nothing over.
• (3.) It was to be eaten immediately, not deferred till morning, v. 10. Today Christ is offered, and is to be accepted while it is called today, before we sleep the sleep of death.
• (4.) It was to be eaten with bitter herbs (v. 8), in remembrance of the bitterness of their bondage in Egypt. We must feed upon Christ with sorrow and brokenness of heart, in remembrance of sin; this will give an admirable relish to the paschal lamb. Christ will be sweet to us if sin be bitter.
• (5.) It was to be eaten in a departing posture (v. 11); when we feed upon Christ by faith we must absolutely forsake the rule and dominion of sin, shake off Pharaoh’s yoke; and we must sit loose to the world, and every thing in it, forsake all for Christ, and reckon it no bad bargain, Heb. 13:13, 14. 4. The feast of unleavened bread was typical of the Christian life, 1 Co. 5:7, 8

 

For a practical application of the Passover in light of a Christian messianic interpretation refer to the Messianic-Jewish Seder service on this site.