4/6/25
Rev. Clint Smith
Sermon Direct Link
“Passover” and “Unleavened Bread” are used synonymously in the New Testament. Technically, there is a difference between them. Passover refers to the sacrificing of the lamb on the afternoon of the fourteenth of Nisan. The Festival of Unleavened Bread (Matzot) begins on the fifteenth of Nisan [sundown on the fourteenth] and continues seven days. The first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread [Fifteenth of Nisan] and the seventh day [twenty-first of Nisan] are special holidays within the Festival. These days are treated as Sabbath days regardless of which day of the week they fall.
Preparations for Passover had been made by every devout Jewish man. Passover itself was a day marked by sorrow and death. In contrast, The Feast of Unleavened Bread celebrated the birth of a nation through a supernatural act of God—His powerful deliverance of His people, both then and in a future time to come.
On that day, Satan and the enemies of the Lord also came to Jerusalem, intent on murder. They hated Jesus and, in their blind ambition, had no idea that they were playing into God’s redemptive plan. Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, would die.
The unbelieving chief priests and scribes actively sought a way to put Jesus to death. Ironically, they feared the crowds—those who listened intently to Jesus’ teachings and respected His spiritual authority. Many had personally witnessed His miracles
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As Jesus spoke of His impending death, Judas—though known as a disciple—sought a way out. Greedy and disillusioned, he opened himself to Satan’s invasion and approached the religious leaders to discuss how he might betray Jesus privately. The chief priests and officers were thrilled and promised him money. Judas agreed and began watching for the right moment to hand Jesus over, away from the crowds.
Meanwhile, Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal, where He would both identify His betrayer and institute what we now call the Lord’s Supper. As He prayed over the bread and the fruit of the vine in the presence of His disciples, He revealed God’s foreordained plan—His death, burial, resurrection, and His soon return for those who remain faithful.
Jesus also promised His disciples a place in His future Kingdom. Then, preparing them for what was to come, He led them to the Mount of Olives, where He withdrew to pray, fully aware of His pending suffering and death.