The Eucharist the new Passover Lamb

1 Corinthians 10:16-18 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?

• Sacrifice: Passover lamb for the Israelites to escape slavery (Ex 12:6); Jesus the new Passover lamb for all to escape the slavery of sin (Mt 26:26-28)

• Eaten to complete and participate in the sacrifice (Ex 12:8 & Mt 26:26; 1 Cor 10:16-18)

• Life-giving food: eaten by the Israelites so the angel of death would pass over their homes during the final plague in Egypt (Ex 12:12-13); the Eucharist is the bread of eternal life (Jn 6:51)

• Eaten only by the covenant people: the circumcised (Ex 12:48); the baptised and in communion with the Church (1 Cor 10:16-18)

• Memorial to God: Passover day (Ex 12:14); the institution of the Eucharist (Lk 22:19)