“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.” Exodus 12:14
One of my family’s favorite holidays is Passover. The adult children and our grandchildren love and appreciate the celebration of our Savior. Yes, that is what Passover is all about. Jesus, the lamb that was slain for our sins.
If you are a born again believer who has been grafted into the vine, you have reason to celebrate this lasting ordinance.
You might ask me, why? I would ask you, why not?
Your own Savior hosted this celebration just days before he gave his life for you on the cross. It is at this Passover meal, during the 3rd cup of redemption, that Jesus “took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:27-29.) This is where the Christian church gets communion. Did you know that?????
As a disciple of Jesus, I am to walk like him, talk like him, and according to the word of God, “be imitators of God.” (Ephesian 5:1.) If Jesus thought it was important to celebrate, maybe it should be important for us who call upon the name of the Lord to celebrate.
Taking the time to participate in Passover gives us a good look at what was happening just days before Jesus dies on the cross for our sins. We walk through the evening and what took place with him and his disciples that night. It is a great preparation for good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.
Celebrating Passover helps to explain what the Israelites faced and why they did the things they did in order to be forgiven for their sins, but it also helps to understand the process of their flight from Egypt to the promise land. The truth is, most Christians I know could not or would not be able to tell the story in detail of what the Passover means.
“Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sins.” (Hebrews 9:22.) In the Old Testament the blood of a pure, spotless lamb was used to cleans us of sins. Jesus enters the picture in the New Testament and he is the pure spotless lamb whose blood cleanses us from our sins. These truths from the word of God are talked about as you celebrate the Passover in the Messianic Seder service.
Besides, who doesn’t like a good party? Who wouldn’t want to join family and friends and eat while you reflect on the word of God and the history of our Christian heritage? Don’t you want your children and grandchildren to understand the Old Testament in a fun and enjoyable way?
I encourage you to seek and find someone who celebrates the Passover and hosts a Messianic Seder service. Ask them if you can join them in next year’s celebration. Make a commitment to yourself and your family to learn about the activities your Savior participated in. Get a better understanding of the Old Testament and the New Testament while enjoying the most important celebration of the year. A celebration of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!
If you’re going to celebrate Easter, with bunnies and eggs and candy (which are not a part of the Christian holiday), why not give Passover a try? After all, it is biblical. Besides, it adds so much more meaning to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.