What is Pesach/Passover?
Speak to all the assembly of Isra’el and say, ‘On the tenth day of this month, each man is to take a lamb or kid for his family, one per household . . . You are to keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, and then the entire assembly of the community of Isra’el will slaughter it at dusk. 7 They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the two sides and top of the doorframe at the entrance of the house in which they eat it.
Exodus 12:3, 6-7
And, so, we are introduced to the Festival of Pesach/Passover, held every year, during April. This eight-day commemorative holiday is actually three festivals. The first, Pesach, consists of one day, the 14th of Aviv, the first month of the Hebrew calendar, God’s calendar. The second, the Hag Ha Matzo, the Feast of Matzah, remembers the 40-year wanderings of the Israelites through the deserts of the Sinai Peninsula. The third, Hag Bikkurim, The Festival of First Fruits, celebrates the first harvest of the year, the harvest of Barley. However, for Messianic believers, this day recognizes the resurrection of Adonai Yeshua, the Lord Jesus, on the third day following His crucifixion.
This is a very busy time of year, as everyone who celebrates realizes. Let’s examine what I done to prepare for this joyous occasion. First, we have the ‘cleaning’. The week before Pesach, every home begins its spring-cleaning. Every room is scoured to remove all leaven, all evidence of rising elements – yeast and its cohorts. Then, we can begin the Festival.
The day before Pesach, the 13th of Aviv, in the 1st Century, A.D., Adonai Yeshua led his disciples through their Pesach, as He knew He would be crucified before the beginning of the Feast. The ‘Last Supper’ began in the early hours of the 13th, right after the sun set.
You may read of their process in Luke 22. Everything done during this celebration has special significance for all believers and the passages should be read very carefully.
Our Beloved Messiah was murdered by the Roman establishment, with support from the leaders of the Sadducees and Pharisees, during the morning hours of the 13th of Aviv, shortly after the sun rose. He died about noon and was subsequently buried in the tomb of one of His followers. This was probably on a Thursday. Then, three days later, on a Sunday, on Hag Bikkurim, He arose. Praise Yahveh – He is Risen!
Hag Ha Matzo begins on the 15th of Aviv and lasts seven days. Throughout this time, we are not to eat any wheat product with leaven, or rising element, such as yeast or baking soda, etc. If we make our own matzah, we are to do so within 18 minutes, so no yeast may enter the wheat. At our home, we do make our own matzah, following a well-known recipe, which is years old. I am always amazed at the number of interesting creations my wife comes up with, using matzah.
Throughout this period, we read many passages from Torah, the Prophets, the Writings and the Brit Chadassah/New Testament. These give us hope and help us draw closer to our Saviour and our Adonai.
If you have never experienced Pesach in your home, why not give it a try this year? Ask a Jewish or Messianic neighbour to help you set-up for this event. I believe Yahveh will speak to you, if you celebrate His Feast.
CONSIDER: If you have never celebrated the Feast of Pesach, Passover, you might consider doing this next year. Speak to some of your Jewish friends or ask your Pastor to invite a missionary from Chosen People Ministries Canada, to conduct a Passover Seder, Dinner, in your Church Hall.
ACT: Did you know God acknowledges and blesses those who honour His Feasts? Are you ready to receive some of God’s blessings? At the very least, become aware of His Feasts, as they fall throughout the year.
PRAY: Abba B’Shamayim, Beloved ABBA. We, Your children, desire to honour You and share in the joy, You grant us, through Your Feasts. Help us, please to do some reading, research and possibly celebrate the Feasts You have appointed throughout the year. In Your Beloved Name and in the Name of our Messiah, Adonai Yeshua, the Lord Jesus. Amen.
May the God of Avraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you richly.