As the spring blossoms and the fragrance of renewal fills the air, we are reminded of the timeless traditions and profound significance of Passover or Easter. This ancient festival is misunderstood as a holiday celebrated by the Jews only. Not so, it’s God’s feast and He commanded the Jews and Gentiles to celebrate together (Exodus 12:19 & 12:48). Anyone who is not born a Jew is a stranger, but if the stranger desired to dwell amongst the Jews they too were to observe the Passover. It’s a perpetual feast, which means it never stops being celebrated (Leviticus 23, Deuteronomy 16, Exodus 23 and 34).
What is Passover? Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus. It is a festival of freedom, highlighting the journey from bondage to liberty, from darkness to light. Today Jews and Christians alike, stand side by side celebrating the Passover lamb of Jesus Christ as Savior of all who believe He became the Passover lamb. Jesus died for the believers’ sins so that everlasting death would be Passover for all who believe in Jesus as their personal Savior.
The Seder: A Feast of Memory and Joy At the heart of Passover is the Seder, a ceremonial meal where family and friends gather to retell the story of the Exodus, the death, burial, resurrection, and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. With symbolic foods, rituals, and songs, the Seder serves as a vibrant tapestry connecting generations and reinforcing the values of freedom, justice, compassion, and most importantly salvation.
Matzah: The Bread of Affliction Central to the Passover observance is matzah, unleavened bread, which symbolizes the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, leaving no time for their bread to rise. The matzah represents pride and reminds believers to remember Christ and remove the pride. Eating unleavened bread reminds believers of Jesus Christ to remove all pride, animosity, unforgiveness, and hatred from their hearts remembering, that Jesus suffered and offered up His body as the bread of life. Eating matzah during Passover reminds us of the humility and faith that our Lord Jesus Christ willingly gave His life so that every believer may have the right to everlasting life. The bread reminds us of Jesus’ humility, as He carried the cross and the crowds spit and cursed at Him; the bible says, “He said not a word” (Matthew 27).
The Four Cups of Wine or Juice During the Seder, four cups of wine are ceremonially consumed, each representing a different aspect of the Exodus and Jesus narrative: freedom, deliverance, redemption, and completion. These cups serve as poignant reminders of the layers of meaning inherent in the Passover story and the journey toward liberation
A Time for Reflection and Renewal As believers both Jews and Christians gather around the Seder table, let us reflect on the blessings of freedom and the responsibilities it entails. Let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice, equality, and compassion for all, in the spirit of the Exodus and the Cross.
Chag Sameach! Amid matzah crumbs and the sweet melodies of "Dayenu," may this Passover be a time of joy, connection, and spiritual renewal for you and your loved ones. Chag Sameach—wishing you a happy and meaningful Passover.
If you have never attended a Passover, we invite you to join us on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 7 pm, 944 Cambridge Pl, Laplace, LA. It's free. It does not cost you anything but faith and time.