Moses, the Passover and Easter

Old Testament Lesson 13
This lesson covers a lot of ground! From the birth of Moses, to his expulsion from Pharaoh's court and marriage to a Midiannite, to his calling from the burning bush, his return to Egypt, his petitions to Pharaoh, the plagues, the Passover, and finally the Exodus and escape via the miracle of the Red Sea opening.
Whew! I'm exhausted already!
Since Moses lived to be 120 years old, that's quite a bit of history. But I would like to focus on two main themes: Moses as a symbol of Christ and the Passover as a symbol of Christ and His Last Supper or Sacrament.

Moses as a Symbol of Christ

Moses was a great prophet and his life symbolizes Christ's mission in many ways.

• Moses was raised by the Pharaoh's family, not his own. The Savior was the Son of God the Father, but was raised by an "adopted" father.
• Both were born at a time when the leader had ordered the execution of all the firstborn in Israel. Both escaped and were preserved.
• Both spent time as children in Egypt. 
• Both were the means of saving their people from bondage and death. Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt; Christ saves us from spiritual bondage and death.
• Moses became a shepherd. Christ is the one true Shepherd.
• Moses performed great miracles as did Christ.
• Through Jehovah, Moses miraculously provided bread and water to the Israelites, symbols of the living bread and living water provided by Christ.
• Both provided new laws to their people.
• Moses didn't die a natural death; he was translated. Jesus Christ gave up his own life and was resurrected. Both left the earth in a miraculous manner.

The Passover Foretells Christ's Sacrifice

The Passover is highly symbolic and the feast of the Passover is as well. The Lord instituted the feast as both a remembrance of their escape from the plague of death prior to their escape from Egypt but also as a foretelling of Christ's sacrifice, his death for us.

Passover and Easter are linked. (Here's an explanation of why they usually fall in the same week.)
Why?
Christ returned to Jerusalem at Passover and was greeted as a King by the people, waving palms and cheering His triumphal entry. That same day, the sacrificial lambs were being chosen for the Passover sacrifice.

Christ's Last Supper was a symbolic fulfillment and turning point. The symbolic significance of the Passover was fulfilled. No more would blood sacrifices be required; only a broken heart and a contrite spirit. The bread he broke and passed around to his apostles. "This do in remembrance of my body." The wine was also passed. "This do in remembrance of my blood which was shed for you."
When we partake of the bread and water (wine), we are symbolically accepting Christ's sacrifice for us. We are symbolically taking it in and making it a part of us and who we are.

Jesus was crucified on the same day the sacrificial lambs were being slaughtered in Jerusalem; the Firstborn of the Father giving his blood to atone for our sins.

For more information on some amazing significance of the astronomy behind the dates of the Passover and the return of Elijah, read this article, originally published in the Ensign. WOW!

When the ancient Hebrews were instructed to kill a firstborn lamb, without blemish and no broken bones and sprinkle its blood on their doorposts. they were promised that the angel of death would see the blood and "pass over" their families, leaving them safe.
The Egyptians, however, didn't have a the atoning blood of a lamb to save them and each firstborn son of their families were struck with death on that night. Even Pharaoh's oldest son died. (Interesting note:  if you know something of the practice of Egyptian pharaohs, killing your son out of jealousy and to protect your power was a common evil practice.)

Without a Savior, the Egyptians died physical deaths.
Without a Savior, all of us will die spiritual deaths.

Another point of symbolism. Why put blood on the doorway?
Here's how I see it. To enter our Eternal Home, we must pass through the doorway of Christ's atonement. Nothing unclean can enter back into Heavenly Father's kingdom and so in order to go there, we must be cleansed (and continually cleansed through repentance and partaking of the Sacrament).
Furthermore, His blood protects us from danger and evil. A door keeps things out and keeps the people inside safe. We are spiritually protected when we are living the gospel, and renewing our covenants by partaking of the Sacrament each week.

Sacrifice and Sacrament: This video is very powerful in portraying the symbolism of the ancient rite of animal sacrifice and linking it with the reverence we should give to partaking of the Sacrament. (It's also a bit humorous!)

Because of Him: This Easter video was posted on the Church's YouTube channel and has received over 2 MILLION views! You'll enjoy it!

My Kingdom is Not of This World: One of the new Bible videos portraying the end of Christ's life and his resurrection. Very poignant, narrated by John the Beloved. (OK, narrated by an actor playing John the Beloved.)

"Do we see [the sacrament] as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?" Elder Holland