A Christian View of Passover Week Copyright © 2004-2012 By Helena Lehman of the Pillar of Enoch Ministry At http://pillar-of-enoch.com/ Table of Contents A Christian Haggadah The Connection Between Easter and Passover The Traditional Passover Service (‘Seder’) The Passover Meal Begins - The First “Kiddush” The Symbolic Meaning of the Passover Menu CHRISTIAN PASSOVER CELEBRATION IMPORTANT Note from author Helena Lehman: Note About Article Distribution:
Copyright © 2004 -2013 By Helena Lehman E-mail:
helena@pillar-of-enoch.com Website: http://pillar-of-enoch.com The Connection
Between Easter and Passover
– An Overview Easter traditionally has been the date Christians
celebrate Yahshua’s (i.e. Jesus’) death and resurrection. Despite its
Christian underpinnings, however, it is also a secularized holiday
commemorated with ancient, so called Pagan birth and fertility symbols such
as chocolate Easter eggs, chicks, and bunnies. Even the name is supposedly
Pagan, said by various religious scholars to represent "Eostre" a
Celtic fertility goddess, or, alternatively, Astarte, the ancient
Mesopotamian goddess of love and fertility. Both of these Pagan goddesses
were worshipped at the time of the Vernal or Spring Equinox each year.
However, it pays to keep in mind that one of the great Hebrew women of the
Bible was known as Esther, and she was no Pagan! In fact, when Hadassah
became Queen Esther, she became a prefiguration of the Though
it is the highest Holy Day of the Christian year, Easter has traditionally
been given a much smaller emphasis than the celebration of Christmas.
However, this is an incorrect practice that should be changed. Instead,
Easter, with its clear connection to the Jewish celebration of Passover Week,
which includes the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits Offering, should
be the central holiday among Christians. This means placing more emphasis on
spiritual things like being the light and salt of the Earth, and
re-interpreting ancient fertility symbols to de-emphasize their connection
with Earth worship among Pagans. Despite the ranting of a few radical scholars, the
supposedly Pagan symbols of Easter do not have to be discarded! On the
contrary, as symbols within the framework of the Language of God, they should
be reinterpreted in a Christian manner that can serve to help us remember the
truth of the Gospel. Unlike some scholars who have gone overboard in their
rejection or evil interpretation of all symbols, I am not advocating that every painted Easter egg or stuffed
Easter bunny should be burned in the fire! Let’s use the discernment given to
us from the Holy Spirit when approaching this reinterpretation, not the musings of the misinformed! As explored in my essay entitled “Where is Christ in Christmas?” we are not so much reinterpreting these symbols as we are re-appropriating them for the use that they were originally intended. In other words, since these symbolic things were created as good and originally had a godly purpose, we need to see them in the original light God intended, and not be clouded in our judgment of them by their Pagan misappropriation. Contrary to popular belief, many so-called Pagan
religious symbols were once godly symbols used to define the one true Creator
God by people who knew the symbolic, metaphorical Language of God. Yahweh God
reveals Himself to us through this amazing symbolic language that is built
into the fabric of the Universe.
To
learn more about it, you can read an online excerpt from “The Language of God
in the Universe,” the first of four books in “The Language of
God” series. To read its synopses, excerpts, and its table of contents, go to
http://pillar-of-enoch.com
and click on “The Language of God Book Series” button link. Just
as for Christmas, the symbols attached to Easter can be reclaimed as Christian
symbols because they speak to us with the divine allegorical Language of God
that is locked into all created things. When reinterpreted with the
discernment of the Holy Spirit, these symbols can shed light into our
understanding of Christianity. For example, since an egg serves as a womb for
a bird’s fetus, it is an excellent symbol for the womb, birth, and new life.
This symbolism is especially powerful in Christian circles, where the only
true disciples are those who have been spiritually born-again, and are being
recreated in Christ’s perfect image. Only
those who believe in, and truly desire to be led by Yahshua receive the
baptism of the Holy Spirit. At the moment this spiritual rebirth occurs, true
disciples pass through a symbolic womb and are gradually re-born in Christ’s
image. This mystical experience, however, will remain unfinished until all
Christ’s disciples are resurrected into eternal life on the Last Day. Maybe
that is partly why a hard-boiled egg always appears on the Jewish Passover
Seder plate. Though a Seder plate is not featured in this Christian Haggadah,
it can readily be incorporated into Christian Passover celebrations as well
and has much symbolic meaning. Like
the egg, rabbits or bunnies are great symbols for fertility because they
proliferate new offspring very rapidly. For the same reason, however, they
can also represent the rapidity of the spread of God’s truth in the fertile
ground of a humble, regenerated heart. In addition to these reclaimed Pagan
symbols, many biblically inspired symbols can enrich our celebration of
Easter when it is combined with Passover traditions found in the traditional
Jewish Pesach (i.e. Passover) Seder meal. The impetus to meld Easter and
Passover is heightened by the fact that Yahshua’s (Jesus’) Last Supper was
really a Jewish Passover meal. Though Yahshua and the Apostles celebrated the
Passover a day early, it was already the custom among certain sects of Jews
to do this. Celebrating the Passover just before He died provided a way for
Yahshua to show His Apostles and disciples that He was and is the fulfillment
of the promises God made to Israel at the first Passover that are
commemorated in the Seder meal’s order of Service known as a Haggadah in
Hebrew. Traditionally, Easter really begins with Palm
Sunday, which commemorates the people’s waving of palm branches in the air as
Yahshua rode into Learning the facts, I was inevitably led to ask: “Why did the early Church leaders decide to do this?” My guess is that the antagonism between proponents of the Judaic Law and Christian Grace may have been so great that the Christian leaders wished to completely divorce the Church from any association with Jewish traditions. In this manner, Easter’s rightful association with Passover Week was obscured and eventually forgotten. Through
His words and actions during His last earthly celebration of Passover,
Yahshua made it clear that He wants us to commemorate the Passover to
remember His loving sacrifice for sin. The ritual act of Communion with
Christ through the bread and wine was part of an annual event, not a weekly
one, and is the climactic finale to any Christian or Messianic Jewish
Passover celebration. As we shall see in this Christian “Haggadah” or
“storyline,” it is recalled at Passover celebrations when the Matzo or unleavened
bread and the third cup of new wine or juice are shared with the other
participants. The
commemoration of Christ’s Death and Resurrection through the symbolism of
Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits should hold center
stage as the most important among Christian holidays. Besides symbolizing the
Exodus story, Passover contains vivid symbols that point to Yahshua’s
sacrificial death. Yahshua’s (Jesus’) death on the Cross is the one act that
guarantees our salvation and the promise of eternal life. Without Yahshua’s
death on Passover, we would not be able to partake in the Resurrection -
which is commemorated in the day of the Firstfruits Offering during the Feast
of Unleavened Bread. This day always falls on the Sunday following Passover
and this is why our celebration of Easter falls on a Sunday. Easter
celebrates the Resurrection of Christ as the Firstfruits of the Resurrection
into everlasting life. This is known as the First Resurrection in Scripture,
and it has three distinct phases. The first occurred at Yahshua’s death, the
second phase will occur at the Rapture of the saints, and the third phase
will occur at the end of the Tribulation. Though we should emphasis Christ’s Death and
Resurrection, this does not mean that Yahshua’s birth was insignificant.
Yahshua's birth was highly important to our salvation, for without the birth
of the Messiah, our salvation from sin and death through Yahshua’s
sacrificial death would not have been possible. We should, however, keep it
at the correct time of year. This was in autumn, not in winter. Nonetheless,
Chanukah, which almost always falls in December, is another Jewish holiday
that has great significance in Christ’s birth and infancy narratives. For
more information on how Christ’s birthday came to be celebrated on December
25th instead of during the Jewish Harvest Feast of Sukkot and how we can
determine the true date for Christ’s birth, read my essay entitled “Where is
Christ in Christmas?” on the “Free Articles and Downloads” web page at http://pillar-of-enoch.com/essays/. Our commemoration of our Savior's death and resurrection should also be on the correct dates, and though Easter rightly commemorates Christ’s Resurrection on the correct day that the Firstfruits offering was offered in the Temple to Yahweh, its commemoration of the first Passover and the Exodus has been obscured because of the erroneous focus on keeping the 46-day long Lenten fast and doing penance and the Stations of the Cross on “Good Friday.” However, Easter should take place on the Sunday during the weeklong festival of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Like Easter or the day of the Firstfruits Offering, which is always on a Sunday, the date for Passover shifts each year, and can fall any time between mid March and late April. This is because Passover is found using a lunar calendar, not a solar one like our modern Gregorian or Julian calendars. There
are many Jewish customs surrounding Passover today that can add much to our
understanding of the rich heritage we have in our faith in Yahshua (Jesus).
The material presented here in this Christian version of the Passover
Haggadah is just a small sampling of the rich Passover symbolism that we can
glean about our spiritual path to salvation and eternal life through Christ.
It is my hope that this study of Passover will aid all who read it to a much
deeper understanding and love for Yahweh God, the Holy Spirit, and their
wonderful Son Yahshua. This
Christian version of the Passover Seder was made in an effort to educate
people of the importance of Easter, Passover, and Firstfruits as the central
rituals identifying and defining our Christian faith. Since this essay is
meant to serve as a “Haggadah” or “storyline” for a Christian Passover
“Seder” or “order of service,” it is not identical to a Jewish Haggadah.
Instead, it is a Christian reinterpretation of a traditional Passover Seder
meal. Recipes have been included in this Christianized Haggadah to aid those
who wish to prepare a special dinner, and follow this guide for their own
Passover “Seder.” For this reason, I encourage people who wish to use this
Christian Passover Haggadah at their own Passover celebrations to add their
own favorite recipes and religious hymns or songs. By
incorporating ideas from the Jewish Passover service, we can correct the
errors that have crept into the Christian understanding of Easter. We can
also more clearly see what Yahshua wanted us to spiritually understand and
physically commit to when He performed a Blood Covenant ritual during the
last Passover He celebrated on Earth. We can also discover what Yahshua
desires for Spiritual Israel, His New Covenant people. Though keeping
Passover makes sense for Christians to do, however, I am not advocating that Christians become
Jews, or that they must follow all Jewish customs or Old Testament Laws! As
Spiritual Israel, we are required to keep only two commandants. When Yahshua
gave these two commandments to His disciples, they would have known that they
spiritually summarized the whole point of the Ten Commandments and the Old
Testament Law: “Jesus said to him,
’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the
second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these
two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” -- Matthew 22:37-40
(NKJ) The first of these two New Covenant commandments encompassed the first four of the Ten Commandments, and the second commandment of Yahshua (Jesus) encompassed the last five of the Ten Commandments. The fifth Commandment, the one that tells us to “Honor your father and mother,” is applicable both to loving Yahweh fully and to loving others fully. As Yahshua Himself taught, these two New Covenant Laws also encompass the whole Old Testament Law in general! This therefore does not mean that we must keep all 613 Old Testament Laws as Hassidic Jews still endeavor to do. Instead, it means that we must allow the Holy Spirit given to us by Yahshua to show us the proper way to love Yahweh and ourselves. Indeed, we cannot keep any of Yahshua’s commandments unless we are born-again. It is impossible to know God’s Will without the Spirit of Christ living inside our hearts. The first step in keeping these two Laws of Yahshua
(Jesus) is to love God our Father and God’s Son by honoring their true Names,
drawing near to both in prayer, and desiring to be like Yahshua. We also need
to ask for and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Only then can we
spiritually discern how to love others as ourselves. We also keep Yah’s Law
by keeping the Sabbath in Spirit and by remembering, applying, and
commemorating the Jewish High Holy Days in an atmosphere of Christian
freedom. To see how Christians can approach keeping the Ten Commandments
without becoming burdened by a heavy yoke of legalistic Jewish religious
doctrine, see my “Sevens Signs” and “Saved By Grace“ articles on the “Free
Articles and Downloads” web page at http://pillar-of-enoch.com/essays/. Introduction to
the Haggadah
For a Christian Passover Seder To be read aloud or explained by the Host or
Hostess: The
Passion and Death of Christ are graphically symbolized by events in the first
Jewish Passover (Hebrew: "Pesach") celebration found in Exodus.
While the Jewish Passover symbolized the deliverance of the Israelites out of
Passover is connected to a weeklong festival called
the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In the past, the week also included a day when
the first sheaf of the barley harvest was waved before Yahweh God inside the
temple by the high priest and a yearling male lamb was sacrificed. Yahshua’s
(Jesus’) death and resurrection are clearly symbolized by the offering of the
male lamb and the wave sheaf offering on this day. This offering of the
Firstfruits of the Spring harvest always occurred on the day after the weekly
Sabbath that occurred during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This Sabbath was
also used to count forward to Pentecost forty-nine days later. Since the day of the Firstfruits Offering always
occurs on the day after the Sabbath that falls during Passover Week, it
always occurs on a Sunday! Sadly, however, Jews, and even some Messianic Jews,
now blatantly reject and ignore this teaching in their Scriptures, and insist
that the day after Passover is the correct day for the Firstfruits offering -
thereby denying the validity of the Christian use of Sunday as the day of
Christ’s Resurrection. Since
Yahshua actually rose from the dead on the day after that weekly Sabbath, it
was on a Sunday on the day of the Firstfruits offering in the Since
leaven symbolizes sin, the offering of these loaves pointed forward to the
spiritual harvest that would be reaped by the Holy Spirit - despite the
sinfulness of all people. It marked the time when Christ’s Spirit would make
it possible for people to get rid of the leaven of sin in their lives forever
through His all-encompassing gift of Grace. It is therefore fitting that
Yahshua first gave the Holy Spirit to those sinners who believed He was the
Messiah on Pentecost. This baptism with the Holy Spirit that first occurred
on the Pentecost Sunday after Yahshua’s resurrection marked the beginning of
Yahweh’s great spiritual harvest that will end on the Last Day, just before
the Great White Throne Judgment spoken of the in the Book of Revelation. Before
proceeding, Leviticus 23:9-12,15-16, Acts 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, and
Revelation 20:11-12 should be read aloud. (Here, you can make your Passover celebration more fun by
pre-printing cards with specific sections of Scripture and passing one or
more out to each guest to read aloud to everyone present.) To be read aloud
or explained by the Host or Hostess: Before Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, there were seven days set aside for ritual purification. Leaven was totally removed from homes as the homes were meticulously cleaned. This springtime house cleaning is an important symbolic act that signifies our eradication of sin from our lives so that we can be holy before God and serve him with purity and truth. Also during this time, tombs were whitewashed on roads to protect travelers from becoming ritually unclean from coming into contact with human remains. Many other events often take place just before Passover among Jews to this day: business deals are made, apprentices are taken, marriages are arranged, and, in the past, slaves could choose to be indentured (pierced) on the doorpost of their Master's house. This was done with a sharp metal object that was pierced through the ear, leaving some of the slave's flesh and blood embedded into the wood of the doorway. This
piercing ceremony served as a sign of the slave's desire to stay a slave to a
particular master or family for the remainder of their life. Likewise,
Yahshua (Jesus) chose to be indentured as a servant to God the Father forever
when He was pierced with thorns, nails, and a spear on the Cross at The First Passover
In
The first Passover was filled with many symbols that pointed to the
role Christ would play in our salvation from sin when He died on the Cross.
By examining the Passover story, our understanding of Yahshua (Jesus) and His
mission here on Earth can be greatly enriched. The Passover marked the
beginning of the Israelite wandering in the wilderness of Sinai as shepherds
without an earthly place to call home. This recalls the fact that Yahshua is
the Good Shepherd whose sheep won’t have a place on Earth to call home until
Yahshua comes again and sets up His Kingdom on Earth. Now,
ask someone to read Exodus 12:1-11, 21-31 To
be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: The following
Passover symbols have much spiritual meaning: ·
The year-old male lamb without defect was
slaughtered and its blood was used to mark the doors of the homes to protect
its occupants from death. The lamb represented Yahshua (Jesus), who shed His
blood and gave up His life on the cross for our sins. The doorways were
marked with the blood of the lamb using a sign of the cross! This was done by
pooling the blood in a hollowed pit at the foot of the doorway. Then the
hyssop branch was dipped in the blood and the blood was smeared first on the
top lintel and then on the two side posts. The lamb’s blood represented the
blood of Christ, the Lamb of God. The wooden doorways represented the cross
on which He died, and the hyssop branch represents Yahshua as the righteous
“branch” of ·
The four cups of wine drunk during a
Passover celebration have much symbolic meaning as well. These cups of wine
are consumed as blessings are recited over those gathered together to share
in the Passover feast. The blood of the lamb on the doorposts of the homes of
those who kept the first Passover and Yahshua’s (Jesus’) own blood are
symbolized by these cups of wine. Just as the four blood-marked posts of the
doorways protected the Israelites from the death angel who passed over Egypt,
the four branches of Yahshua’s bloodstained Cross sanctifies us and protects
us from the fate of eternal death and separation from God. With His shed
blood, Yahshua washes us clean and allows us to be refreshed and renewed by
His Holy Spirit. This guarantees our place in heaven, and in the presence of
Yahweh God for eternity. The cup of wine we Christians drink at Communion symbolizes the shared wine of the Jewish Passover meal. Since it signifies Christ’s shed blood, sharing the wine is a sign of our equal placement in the New Blood Covenant we enter with Yahweh through Christ. The New Blood Covenant we enter into with Yahweh through Yahshua is a solemn oath of fealty and allegiance between God and man. It promises that we will be resurrected with perfect, imperishable bodies when Yahshua comes again in glory and that we will live forever with Yahshua in the New Jerusalem. ·
The unleavened bread eaten at Passover
signified freedom from sin. It represents Yahshua's (Jesus') sinlessness as
well as our own purity when we mark the door of our hearts with Yahshua's
blood and accept him as our Savior. Leaven or yeast signified sinfulness
because sin is associated with excessive pride, or being “puffed-up.” During
the Passover Seder, three pieces of Matzo are hidden inside a single bag with
three pockets and the central piece is broken and hidden, then found later in
the meal. This single bag with three Matzos inside serves as an unmistakable
symbol for the triune God Yahweh, and the broken center piece serves as a
perfect metaphor for the broken body of Christ, who died for our sins. The
first Passover secured the deliverance of the Israelites out of sinful Now,
ask someone to read 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 The Traditional
Passover Service (‘Seder’)
From
A Christian Perspective To be read aloud
or explained by the Host or Hostess: We have
gathered together on this special day (or night) to explore the events of The
Last Supper. We will do so by examining the rituals of the traditional
Passover service, which is what the Last Supper actually was. The customs of
Yahshua’s era were very different from our own. For example, instead of
sitting on high-backed chairs as we do today, the people of Yahshua's day
reclined on cushions on the floor around low tables when they ate meals. The
roast lamb that was served at Passover feasts could not have any bones broken
and therefore was roasted whole. The Passover service of Yahshua's day was a
family affair and twenty to forty people often gathered to celebrate the
Passover together. This was because the meat of the yearling lamb slaughtered
for the occasion could comfortably feed that many people and none of the meat
could be left until morning. This is significant in that Yahshua (Jesus) had no
broken bones when He was crucified, unlike the other two men who were
crucified with Him. In addition, Yahshua was removed from the Cross just
before nightfall. Now, ask someone
to read John 19:32-37 To be read aloud
or explained by the Host or Hostess: A leader is always chosen from among the guests to officiate at the Passover meal. The leader is usually the oldest and most respected male member of the group. Yahshua (Jesus) served as the leader, or host, at the Last Supper. It was the leader’s responsibility to make sure all the lamb was consumed and to offer the Passover blessings over the wine. More than fourteen men were likely gathered in the Upper Room with Yahshua since the Passover is always considered a group family event. It is therefore likely that the wives and children of Yahshua's apostles and the beloved disciple, as well as some of the women who followed Yahshua (Jesus) were also present during the Passover meal - though the women and children very likely ate at their own table. On the tables where they gathered, there were likely one or more seven-branched oil lamps that are called Menorahs in Hebrew. Today, these oil lamps have seven or nine branches and are filled with more than oil or candles. They have much symbolic spiritual meaning that can only be seen through the divine language of allegory. Yahshua discerned their allegorical meaning when He said: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be
hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a
lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father
in heaven.” - Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJ) And, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk
in darkness, but have the light of life." - John 8:12 (NKJ) The spiritual light we possess is therefore the light of Christ
shining through our actions, words, and deeds. In fact, oil is symbolic of
the action of the Holy Spirit, who gives us the fuel we need to act in a
godly manner and shun sin. A Menorah, especially one fueled by oil, is
therefore a powerful spiritual symbol that can be incorporated into the
Christian celebration of Passover as well as other holy days. Now,
ask someone to read Mark 14:12-17. To be read aloud
or explained by the Host or Hostess: As already
mentioned, the Jewish Passover Seder is the re-telling of the Exodus story. The
written text that describes the events of the “Seder” or “order” and its
content is called a “Haggadah,” or “storyline.” For Christians and Messianic
Jews, the Passover Haggadah should also recall the death and Resurrection of
Yahshua (Jesus). The traditional opening for the Seder story is the
“Kiddush,” or “blessing,” given by the host of the feast. Interestingly, the
mother or oldest woman in each Jewish household says this same blessing at
their Friday evening Sabbath gatherings (Note: Jews reckon days from sunset
to sunset, so evening comes before daytime). The
Passover Meal Begins -
The
First “Kiddush”
The blessing over the first cup of wine
The first cup is called “The Cup of Sanctification.” (Over his cup, the Host Recites:) "Blessed art thou, 'Oh Lord our God' (or: 'Yahweh our Elohim'),
who has created the fruit of the vine,"..."Blessed art thou, 'Oh
Lord Our God,' who has sustained us and enabled us to reach this
season." The
Four Questions: To be read aloud or
explained by the Host or Hostess: Four questions, beginning with “Why is this night different from all
other nights?”, are traditionally asked at the opening of the Jewish Seder.
These are asked by the youngest male child and directed to the oldest male
adult present. For purposes of brevity, we will omit these. Now,
the guests are asked to drink “The First Cup.” This cup
or glass can be filled with wine or the juice of your choice, preferably of a
red coloration to recall the blood that Yahshua shed for us on the Cross. To
be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: After
drinking from his first cup of wine, the Host at a Jewish Seder washes his
hands. By this ritual act of hand washing, the Host is set apart as the most
important Passover guest. After washing His hands, the Host removes and
breaks one Matzo of the three hidden away in a single folded napkin, towel or
special triple-sectioned bag. As mentioned earlier, this single bag
containing three Matzos is a symbol of the Trinity. Instead of washing
His hands and breaking this piece of Matzo and hiding it away again in the
bag, Yahshua (Jesus) washed the apostle's feet at this time instead. His action showed
that we are called to serve in humbleness, not to boast in
self-righteousness. (NOTE: To commemorate
Yahshua's act of humility, provide a wetted cloth beside each guest’s place
setting and ask him or her to wash the hands of the nearest person at the
table.) Now, ask someone
to read John 13:1-17 After this, the
first course SALAD should be served and eaten. To be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: Traditionally, the Host gave bitter herbs dipped in salty water to
participants at this time in the Seder. The salads just served are a more pleasant
substitute for this symbol of the bitterness of slavery and the tears shed as
the Israelites pleaded with God to deliver them. Eating bitter herbs has a
joyful aspect too though, for tears of joy were surely shed as the Israelites
marched triumphantly out of Now, ask someone to read Psalm 113 and 114 (NOTE: These are the first
two of five Hallel Psalms of Praise read at the Seder meal). (NOTE: The Second Cup of Wine, which is called “The Cup of
Praise,” is poured, then blessed by the host as before. At this point, the
hostess can pass a pitcher full of wine or juice around the table so that the
guests can refill their own glasses. Traditionally, the lamb that is roasted
whole is laid on a platter in Jewish homes so that it can be brought out and
presented to the guests at this time, though it is not served and eaten until
after the second cup of wine is blessed and shared.) Now, ask someone to read John 6:48-58 and Hebrews 9:11-15. After
the readings, drink the Second Cup. To
be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: After
this second cup, it is traditional for the Ritual Hand Washing of the guests in
preparation to eat the Unleavened Bread. However, this was already done when
the guests washed each other’s hands! The clean hands and unleavened bread
both symbolize freedom from sin, just as Yahshua (Jesus) washes us clean and
feeds us with His life giving Spirit and the spiritual truths that help us to
live less sinfully. Ultimately, Yahshua's spiritual food will allow us to become totally sinless, just as Yahshua (Jesus) is and always was. This will occur when our perfected spirits are resurrected in beautiful and incorruptible bodies that will last for eternity. We will then be permanent residents of a sinless creation with no more suffering, sin, or death. This is something for us all to be joyfully thankful for and to look forward to with gladness! Each person should
now be given a piece of Matzo dipped in horseradish and charoseth (or substitute chutney
for charoseth). To be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: At this
point in the “Last Supper” Passover service, Yahshua (Jesus) gave the sop of
unleavened bread dipped in horseradish and charoseth to Judas, who then left.
Judas
therefore never ate the Passover lamb, signifying his
condemnation for his rejection of Yahshua. In the Jewish Seder meal, the Matzo combined with the hot Horseradish
and sweet Charoseth reminds Jews of the mud and straw they used to make
bricks for the pharaoh’s building projects. It can also signify the
bitter-sweetness of the Passover. The Passover spelled death to the
unbelieving Egyptians as the Angel of Death passed over On the very first Passover, the Jews obtained the freedom they had so
desired through the suffering of their oppressors. They had longed to worship
their God Yahweh Elohim without restriction and be freed of the bitter yoke
of slavery. That first Passover gave them the ability to experience both
freedom from slavery and a closer relationship with and understanding of
their God. Likewise, the Christian Passover that we call the Last Supper or
Communion is a symbol of our freedom in Christ and the depth and promise of
our intimate relationship with Him. The Israelites’ upcoming forty years in the deserts of Sinai would
strengthen them and rid them of the mentality of slaves, forging them into a
formidable race of people with a powerful faith in the God who provided for
them in the harshest circumstances. When the Israelites were hungry or
thirsty, Yahweh heard their cries and satisfied their needs in miraculous
ways. Examples of this include the manna from heaven and the springs of sweet
water that flowed from the rocks. Interestingly, every miracle presented to
the Jews had great symbolic meaning. In the case of the manna from heaven and
the water that sprang forth from inside the rock, these were symbols of their
Messiah who was to come, though they did not know it. Jesus, called Yahshua in
Hebrew, is the “Bread of Life” (manna), “The Rock of our Salvation” and “The
Living Water.” Just as minerals, bread, and water feed our fleshly bodies,
Yahshua spiritually sustains His disciples under the New Covenant that He
sealed with His own holy blood. He does so through the spiritual nutrients
given to believers by His Holy Spirit. The Passover meal is therefore meant
to be a physical symbol of the spiritual food that all of Christ’s disciples
receive from the Holy Spirit. This is something that we all should focus on
as we eat the Passover meal. Now,
ask someone to read John 13:21-30 Serve and Eat the
Passover Meal The remainder of the Pesach Service can be finished
after the meal is eaten. The First Communion
To be read aloud or
explained by the Host or Hostess: Now that we have eaten the spiritually symbolic Passover meal, it is time to explore the ritual we call “Communion.” This begins when we drink the Third Cup of the Passover meal, which is called “The Cup of Redemption.” This is the most important cup of the Passover Celebration, the one that Yahshua (Jesus) won't drink again until He drinks it with us during His Millennial rule on Earth. Pour,
bless and drink the Third Cup, or “The Cup of Redemption.” Now, ask someone to read Mark 14:25 IMPORTANT POINT to be read aloud
or explained by the Host or Hostess: The Matzo that was broken and hidden inside a cloth bag or folded towel or napkin at the beginning of the Passover Seder is now removed by the Host and blessed before being further broken and offered to the guests. As mentioned earlier, this broken Matzo is a potent symbol for Christ, the Person in the Trinity who manifested Himself in human form so that He could redeem us from sin forever. The Last Supper
differed from the traditional Passover Seder Here. Yahshua (Jesus) instituted
two new memorials using the symbolic actions from this part of the Passover
meal. When He gave thanks and broke the unleavened bread or Matzo, Yahshua
let His disciples know that this act now signified His death on the Cross. We
symbolically become part of Christ’s body when we eat the bread. As the
apostles were eating the unleavened bread, Yahshua gave thanks for the
traditional Third Cup of wine. He made it much more meaningful, however, by
indicating that this third cup would henceforth serve as a symbol of the New
Blood Covenant that Yahshua sealed with us and marked in His own blood. (To
learn more about the importance of the Blood Covenant Ritual in our Christian
faith, please see the essay entitled “The Sevens Signs of Authentic
Christianity,” available free online at http://pillar-of-enoch.com.) Now, ask someone
to read 1 Corinthians 10:16,17 and 11:23-26 To be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: Psalm 118:25,26 relates to Yahshua (Jesus) and His Triumphal Entry
into Now, ask someone
to read Revelation 19:11. To be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: “The
Cup of Acceptance” or “The Cup of Elijah” is the forth and final
cup of wine or juice that is shared at the Passover meal. It reminds Jews of
the importance of Yahweh God’s words in Exodus 6:7, where Yah says: “I will
take you to me for a people." For Jews, this statement signifies the
beginning of their pilgrimage as God's Chosen People. For all who accept
Christ, it also signifies their acceptance into His Kingdom. Pour,
bless, and drink the Now have everyone say: “Next
Year in To
be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: This is the traditional closing statement at the end of the Passover
meal. For Christians, this speaks of the Heavenly Jerusalem that will come
out of heaven when the New Heaven and New Earth are created. Now, ask someone
to read Revelation 21:1-4. To be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: We have now come to the end of our Passover celebration. As Yahshua
and did on the last Passover that He shared with His disciples, let’s read
the traditional hymns that were sung at the end of the Passover feast. These
are the second half of the Hallel Psalms. Now, ask several people to read Psalms 115 to 118, the Second Part of the
Hallel Psalms. (NOTE: After the Passover
service, hymns may be sung by all present. Use one or more of your church’s favorite
hymns or look for hymns that most of your guests will be familiar with.) OPTIONAL CLOSING NOTES: To
be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: Baptism is a symbol of our death, burial and resurrection with
Christ. That is why baptisms are often performed on Easter Sunday in many Now, ask someone to read
Colossians 2:8-17 and Acts 2:38. To
be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: Baptism
is given to consenting adults and is not meant for infants. It was
administered by full immersion by the early Church, symbolizing our passage
through the death-like stillness and peace of the allegorical “womb” of the
Holy Spirit and into Christ’s light and life. Baptism also symbolizes the
ritual washing that sacrifices received before being burned on the altar in Now, ask someone
to read Acts 8:36-39 and Acts 22:14-16. To be read aloud or explained by the Host or Hostess: Our
Baptism into the Body of Christ signifies our true understanding and
acceptance of the Gospel message. Contained therein are many wonderful
symbols given to deepen our experience of our faith in Yahshua the Messiah
and His role as our Lord and Savior. The Passover, like baptism, is a vivid
symbol of the meaning of Yahshua's death and resurrection. This enactment of
Passover was meant to give you a better understanding of this wonderful
Jewish celebration, in hopes that partaking in the Lord's Supper with other
true believers will be much more meaningful to you in the future. Thank you for
participating, and MAY OUR MESSIAH YAHSHUA BLESS YOU ALL ABUNDANTLY!
The Symbolic
Meaning of the Passover Menu
(See Detailed Recipes at End!) INTERNATIONAL PASSOVER MEAL MENU: 4 Cups of “New Wine” Spritzers
NOTE: Since it shows the
symbolic meanings for the foods eaten at Passover meals, this menu
description can be shared with guests and included in their own copies of
this Haggadah. GRAPE JUICE SPRITZER (Grape Juice mixed
with Ginger ale): The grape juice signifies the 'new wine' of the Passover as
well as Yahshua's blood covenant bond with us. New wine was not fermented.
This is fitting, as fermentation is caused by yeast and the effects of yeast
are symbolic of sin. That is why new wine that has not yet been fermented
better symbolizes Yahshua's untainted, sinless blood. INTERNATIONAL
RECIPES FOR A
CHRISTIAN
PASSOVER CELEBRATION
Serves 10 to 12 Please feel free to
add or substitute your own favorite recipes for the Passover celebration. The
foods you choose should be symbolic in some way of how they are to be used,
however. For the Passover feast I have mentioned in this version of the
Passover Haggadah, you will need to purchase some prepared
horseradish, a box of Matzo crackers, one
dozen whole wheat chapattis, (unlike tortillas, there is no leaven in most
chapattis (or rotis) and a jar of mango chutney. These condiments are
readily available at most supermarkets. They should be served in separate
dishes along with the following foods: Abbreviation key: lb = pound med. = medium tspn = 1 teaspoon ROAST
LEG OF LAMB Preheat oven to 325
degrees Fahrenheit. “PULAO”
RICE WITH ALMONDS AND RAISINS Preheat oven to 375
degrees Fahrenheit GREEN GARDEN SALAD 2 heads Romaine
lettuce 6 radishes ORIENTAL STYLE OIL AND VINEGAR DRESSING 2
tblspns rice or white wine vinegar 2 tblspns fresh lemon juice Directions: Add all ingredients
to a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Cover and shake until well mixed.
Adjust amount of salt and pepper to taste if necessary. Toss with salad
before serving. (Note: this dressing is great brushed over cooked meats like
chicken or fish!) GRAPE JUICE
SPRITZERS 4 one liter containers
of purple grape juice WHOLE WHEAT CHAPATIS 1 dozen or more
prepackaged chapattis (East Indian flat breads). IMPORTANT Note
from author Helena Lehman:
I have NEVER advocated that grafted-in believers should
keep Jewish Feasts as the Jews do. In the Book of Acts, it was made
abundantly clear to the Apostles that grafted in believers were under NO
OBLIGATION to keep the requirements of the Law or the vain traditions of men.
In my home, I keep the feasts with Bible study, prayer, singing in worship,
and dancing. I have a menorah I light occasionally too just because I enjoy
its beautiful symbolism. I also use a prayer shawl occasionally. I do some
spring cleaning in honor of the Passover tradition, and throw away any foods
that may not be healthy to eat. But I have been known to keep and eat dried
foods well past their supposed expiration date without ill effects, and have
never viewed dried foods as leaven. Please use your common sense, and don’t
follow the vain traditions of men when they make no sense. God bless you all,
and Shalom. Note About Article
Distribution:
This article may be freely distributed, quoted
from, and used as a resource provided the following conditions are met: · The author Helena Lehman, and her web site at http://pillar-of-enoch.com must be acknowledged as the source when this essay is quoted from in research papers, newsletters, and other modes of communication, including digital transmissions. ·
None of the text in this essay can be changed in any way. ·
No part of this essay can used in a paid publication or digital
work for profit without the express permission of the author. For permission, e-mail the author at helena@pillar-of-enoch.com. |