I’ve only had the privilege of experiencing a Passover Seder Feast a few times in my life. Wednesday evening was a time of gathering as a church family and savoring the meaning of this special feast that commemorates the night the Israelites followed Moses’ instructions, killed a lamb and painted its blood on their doorposts and lintels so that the angel of death would Passover them. The next day, God delivered them from Egypt. From a New Testament viewpoint, we are delivered from sin and death by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect, sinless life, died as a sacrifice to atone for all our sins — past, present, and future — and on the third day, arose from the dead. All who believe Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away sin, will have new and everlasting life.
Each element of the Passover feast meant so much to me. As the candles were lit, I thought of Jesus as the Light of the World. Jewish history reflects the history of all who seek The One True God.
As we drank from the cup of sanctification, I thought of how God calls us to separate ourselves from the world, not physically, but in our way of thinking. When we accept Christ and receive the Holy Spirit, we see everything from a new perspective.
We broke the striped and pierced unleavened bread – matzo – and I thought of Jesus, his body striped by whips that tore his flesh, pierced by nails through his hands and feet in atonement for our transgressions. As we recited the plagues, I thought of the many sins I’ve committed and the continuing war that goes on between my fleshly nature and new nature. Jesus bore all the sins of the world on that cross.
The second cup of deliverance is one of celebration. The Lord delivered the Jews from bondage to Egypt, and Christ Jesus my Lord died to deliver me from sin and death.
As we ate the bitter herbs dipped in salt water, the horseradish, the apple-and-nut mixture, I remembered the bitter regret I felt over past actions, the tears of sorrow, the works I did trying to make atonement for myself. A sip from the cup of redemption reminded me how I laid it all down at the cross of Christ. Salvation! A gift so undeserved offered by grace through Jesus Christ. There are other Passover elements; the lamb shank for the sacrifice (Jesus, the Lamb of God), the hard-boiled egg representing the promise of spring and new life. (Messiah has come!)
As we broke the unleavened bread in three pieces, representing the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I thought of God the Father, Jesus, God the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was hidden for a time in the grave, and then came forth. As a child hunts for the hidden piece of matzo, the soul-hungry seek hope with childlike faith and find Jesus.
The cup of deliverance — I am rescued by God through Jesus. The cup of redemption — Jesus took my place and punishment for my sins. The cup of praise — Jesus’ last words from the cross, “It is finished!” The New Jerusalem is my longed-for home.
We are all sinners sojourning in a darkening world, some holding onto the promises of God. Our Creator loves us! He still wants an intimate, abiding, eternal relationship with us. The Scriptures were written thousands of years ago and are still rich in meaning and applicable today. The world may change, but God does not. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
May your Resurrection Day celebration be filled with awe at what the Lord has done for you. May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you peace.