The Beauty of Pesach (Passover)

This is probably the most meaning-filled holy day in Judaism – well, in the Bible, really.
There is SO MUCH symbolism that pertains to Messiah and all of it is rich and encouraging and mind-boggling. At least, for me.

Most people, if you know the Bible, know that Passover comes from the account of the Children of Israel’s deliverance from slavery in ancient Egypt. Over 400 years of tears and sweat and blood and agony…Finally, HaShem sends a deliverer – Moshe. Speaks to him through a bush on fire that was not consumed and sends 10 plagues upon the land until Pharoah finally lets up and sends them away, practically.
The people leave as quickly as possible, leaving no time for their bread to rise, hence the flat, unleavened bread.
HaShem commands them to keep this memory alive by teaching it to their children and their children’s children. This way, everyone would remember how they were saved from slavery by their G-D.
Before they left, however, one crucial deed was to be done so that the Destroyer, or Angel of Death, would pass over them and not kill them in the 10th plague – the death of the firstborn.

First, each household was to take a lamb. Not just any lamb. A perfect male lamb. And they brought it into their home and watched it for 4 days. This was to make sure it wasn’t sick or didn’t develop any kind of blemish. They fed it. Learned from it. Gave it a name, most likely. Loved it.
But, when 4 days were over… they had to kill it.
Can you imagine the sadness felt by not only the children, but adults, too, as they sliced its throat and spilled all of its blood?
And then, that blood was painted onto their doorposts on the outside.
Why?
If they trusted what HaShem said and put their faith into action by applying the blood, then the Destroyer would pass over them and not harm them.

To me, this is the most obvious symbol of Messiah in the Biblical account of Passover.

But there are some traditions that have been added in to the Feast that also amazingly show you His presence in this special time.

A Passover Seder is the traditional meal taken at the start of the Feast of Unleavened Bread/Passover. The family prepares a delicious meal and sits down together and step-by-step goes through each event of the Passover in Exodus. A plate with 6 items sits in the center, each item symbolizing something important.
(Only exception being the egg. In Messianic circles, it’s excluded in the Seder for its pagan origins.)

I could go into detail on each of those items. I could tell you about the Psalms read aloud – the very ones read by Yeshua and His disciples at their last earthly Seder together (Matt.26, Mark 12, Luke 22).
I could explain what each of the 4 cups of wine mean and how Yeshua said He wouldn’t drink the 4th cup again until His return.
I could tell you all about His body being the matzah (unleavened bread) and His blood the wine that atoned for our sins, just like the lamb.

But, I want to share about my favorite part of the Seder. There’s one part that sticks out to me more than the rest. It’s unique and is truly a picture of our amazing G-D.
On the Seder table, there is a cloth pouch-like bag with 3 pieces of matzah. They are in their own little section of the pouch, separated by a cloth. The middle matzah is called the afikomen (the only Greek word used in the Seder). Its meaning is uncertain, but scholars claim it derives from the root word that means “that which is coming.”
This piece is taken out of the bag, broken in two, and one half is placed in another cloth pouch and hidden somewhere in the room or house. The children are supposed to close their eyes because they will go search for it later.
At the end of the meal, the children go look for it and whoever finds it is rewarded with coins.

Now, I’m sure you can see where I’m going. Maybe. This is a tradition done without realizing its true significance at Seders all around the world this week. Some say the 3 matzos represent the 3 patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Others say it represents the Priests, Levites, and the common people of Israel.
But, it also can represent our G-D.
He has chosen to show Himself to us, manifest Himself to us, in 3 distinct ways, yet He is ONE.
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Which one is the middle? The Son.

Which one is broken? The Son.

Which one is hidden (or buried)? The Son.

Which one is found (brought back)? The Son!

Amazing, right?!

And HaShem didn’t even command them to do this! Truly He is sovereign!

Our striped, bruised, pierced, and broken matzah (Yeshua) was raised from the dead, conquering death and hasatan (the deceiver) for good!
We patiently await His return and follow in His footsteps and keep the Feast in all diligence and in His memory. (1 Cor.5:6-8; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor.11:24-25)

Halleluyah to the Lamb of G-D!!!

Chag Pesach Sameach! (Happy Passover!)