Jesus' crucifixion and death was in atonement for the sins of mankind. Atonement, what Jesus did to reconcile human beings with God has many aspects to it, and this lesson introduces you to one facet of the extent and depth of His work on the cross.

1. Just before God brings the last plague upon Egypt, in which every firstborn son and cattle will die around midnight, God instructs the nation of Israel what to do and defines the Lord's Passover. What do you observe about the Lord's Passover?

The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord's Passover. (Ex 12:5-11, NIV)

2. According to the apostle John in the New Testament, Jesus is crucified on Preparation Day in which the Passover lamb is slaughtered for the Passover meal (John 13:1; 18:28, 39; 19:14, 31, 42). From this event, the apostles Peter and Paul associate Jesus Christ with Passover. What do you observe about this association?

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Pet 1:18-19, NIV)

Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. (1 Cor 5:7, NIV)