The Passover Supper, by Brian Call
Exodus 7–13; Lesson 42
Exodus 12–13, Part 1
The Lord’s Passover
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
Have you ever felt stuck? In the case of the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt and in every case of spiritual bondage, there is only one way to escape. Jesus Christ instituted the Passover meal as a symbolic reminder of the saving power of His Atonement. This lesson can help you feel the importance of the Savior and His Atonement in your life.
Study the Scriptures
On June 23, 2018, 12 members of a youth soccer team, ages 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old assistant coach decided to explore an elaborate cave system in northern Thailand following a practice. Shortly after they entered, heavy rains flooded the caves, trapping them four kilometers (2.5 miles) within the caves and cutting off contact with the outside world for more than a week. On July 2, experienced divers finally located the young group. But floodwaters and additional rain made immediate rescue nearly impossible. With more monsoon rains coming, the soccer team’s deliverance from the caves remained uncertain.
Take a moment to ponder times when you have felt trapped, stuck, or hopeless. In this lesson, you will learn how the Savior delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. As you study, invite the Holy Ghost to help you understand that the Savior is also your Deliverer.
In a previous lesson you studied nine plagues the Lord used to convince the Israelites and Egyptians that He is God.
Read Exodus 11:4–6. Mark the tenth and final plague the Lord sent.
The Lord promised the Israelites that if they would faithfully obey His instructions, He would cause the plague to “pass over” them, and their firstborn children would not die (see Exodus 12:13, 23). For this reason, the Lord referred to this event as the Passover (see Exodus 12:43). The Lord’s instructions involved a meal, including what to prepare and how to eat it. The Savior used symbols in the Passover meal to teach the Israelites about Himself.
You can learn more about these symbols in the video “The Passover” (2:55).
Study Exodus 12:3–8, 15, 21–23. Use the chart below to make notes next to each passage explaining what each action may have symbolized.
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What instructions did the Lord give the Israelites? |
What might this instruction symbolize? |
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What instructions did the Lord give the Israelites? | What might this instruction symbolize? Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God” (John 1:36), was perfect and gave His life for us. |
What instructions did the Lord give the Israelites? | What might this instruction symbolize? The Atonement of Jesus Christ can protect us as we apply the conditions of repentance in our lives. |
What instructions did the Lord give the Israelites? | What might this instruction symbolize? Bitter herbs were a reminder of the Israelites’ bitter bondage in Egypt and are like the bitterness of sin. Leaven, or yeast, can make bread moldy. As part of repentance, we can rid our lives of anything that can corrupt our spirits. |
Read Exodus 12:50–51; 13:3 to see what happened as the children of Israel kept the Passover. Make a note next to either passage with the following truth: The Savior delivers His people from spiritual and physical death.
Recall the story of the trapped soccer players from earlier. After several intense days, experts from around the world determined a method for rescuing them. Experienced divers entered the dangerous waters of the elaborate cave system and, one by one, delivered the boys and their coach from the flooded caves.
Respond to the following question in your notebook:
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How might the experienced divers’ actions symbolize what the Savior can do for you?
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
Why does Jesus Christ’s Atonement matter to me?
President Russell M. Nelson taught:
Because the Savior, through His infinite Atonement, redeemed each of us from weakness, mistakes, and sin, and because He experienced every pain, worry, and burden you have ever had, then as you truly repent and seek His help, you can rise above this present precarious world.
You can overcome the spiritually and emotionally exhausting plagues of the world, including arrogance, pride, anger, immorality, hatred, greed, jealousy, and fear. (“Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2022, 96)
In your notebook, write a brief screenplay containing dialogue for the following scenario.
Imagine an Israelite teen who just participated in the first Passover in Egypt is talking with a modern-day teen. Help their conversation convey why the Savior’s Atonement really matters. Use the following questions to write a script:
Question the modern-day teen might ask:
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How would you describe your experience in bondage and what you learned from the Passover?
Question the Israelite teen might ask:
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What trials have you experienced that feel like bondage?
Questions both might ask:
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How has the Lord changed your life?
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What would you share about the Lord with people who may be reluctant to follow Him?
Option B
What can Jesus Christ deliver me from?
The Israelites needed Jehovah’s help to deliver them from Egyptian captivity. But in Heavenly Father’s plan, all people need saving. The Passover symbolizes the Savior’s ability to deliver all His people.
Read the following passages, looking for what Jesus Christ delivers us from. You might link these passages to Exodus 13:3.
You might also watch this clip from President Russell M. Nelson’s talk “The Correct Name of the Church.”
In your notebook, create a poster. Write the phrase “You need Jesus because …”
Finish the statement by including words, phrases, or even drawings that show what you have learned and felt.
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you feel the importance of the Savior and His Atonement in your life.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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The script you wrote about a conversation between an Israelite teen and a modern-day teen.
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The poster you created about why you need Jesus.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?