Meaning of Passover to Modern Day Christian

I hear the term "Passover" today and the first thing that pops into my mind, in this worldly world, is a Jewish Holiday. But I am not Jewish. Nor, do I celebrate Passover, a day unto itself. However, I know what Passover means to me, as a Christian today and it is not just a religious holiday for the Jewish people. Passover is steeped in tradition and meaning, if fact, it is completely symbolic of the basis of Christians faith altogether.

For those that know the Bible, or some about History, it is understood that the term Passover comes from the Holy Spirit "passing over" homes in the book of Exodus. The Spirit passed over the homes of those who had killed a spring lamb and marked their doorposts with its blood. This was a way for Hebrews to show they believed and the result of that blood posted would spare their firstborn sons from sudden death, when the holy spirit swept through in the night. This is symbolic in any religion of redemption due to the fact that Hebrew slaves were spared, and freed by the hand of God that led them out of bondage.

As a Christian, the Passover symbolizes how God will spare those who believe in Jesus, the pure lamb. It is prophetic of what was (Jesus coming) and is still to come, that sinners will be saved by Jesus blood on the cross, and we will be free from the bondage of sin (Satan/Hell). But first, we must believe. We must have faith, as the Hebrew's did by posting blood on their doorpost. And that freedom over sin means everything to me, not just to celebrate one day (which Christians do, it's called Easter), but all days.

I was raised in the church, but in our church, faith was a personal decision or choice. I will never forget the Sunday I knew it was my choice. I was sitting by my dad, who was ignoring me. I don't even remember what the pastor talked about that Sunday. But I do remember rising to sing. In that song, something inside my soul just shifted. It was as if I was on holy ground. That sounds supernatural, but the truth is, it kind of was. I began to think of the story of Jesus and consider God so seriously, my heart just felt torn. I began to cry.

I was only eight, so I am not sure why I was crying, but it was very emotional for me to believe that the God of the Universe knew me. He knew who I was, my name...and I really felt like he was calling me. It was in that moment that I prayed and every moment after, that I understood that my life on earth is just a blip in time and one day I will go home, to a prepared heaven.

I confess, I don't know the rituals around Passover as a Jewish person might. But I do respect their time honored religion and believe they are God's chosen people. I believe they celebrate on that day a God in heaven who saves them from sin. I too, believe God saved me. He saves anyone who believes in him.

If asked what Passover means to me? It is not a Holiday on the Calendar. It is a burning memory of sitting next to my dad - the very day I decided to have faith: Faith in God, faith that Jesus came and died for me so he could atone for my sins, faith that there is a plan for my time on earth, but more, faith that this life is not all there is and in the end, I will not be passed over.