Keeping the Passover
Photo by cottonbro
In a few weeks I’ll be hosting a Seder dinner at my house for the ladies in the Hebrews Bible Study. We’ll be in chapter 11: “By faith Moses kept the Passover.” This will be my second time hosting a Seder. Kathryn Cox prepares lamb that’s delicious, we have some Middle Eastern side dishes and Austin Evans leads us through Jewish rituals and readings from the Haggadah, explaining their Messianic fulfillment. There’s a prize for the person who finds the hidden afikomen, and a place is set and left empty, waiting for Elijah. We have bitter herbs and bones and boiled eggs and drink multiple small glasses of wine or grape juice. Why would we do this, besides the fact that it’s a lot of fun?
If you have, or had, or once were a child, maybe you’ve visited the High Desert Museum on Living History days. Reading about something is fine, but seeing it in real life and participating in the activity adds a depth of insight and experience that mere reading cannot provide. Participating in a Seder meal can do just that. It gives a deeper understanding of Passover, the symbols, and their amazing fulfillment in Jesus, our Passover Lamb.
Hebrews teaches that the Old Testament is filled with symbols, “shadows,” of spiritual realities; object lessons that teach us about God and His good plans for us. Passover, is an object lesson full of history and hope, remembrance and redemption. A Seder meal allows those of us who are unfamiliar or less familiar with Jewish traditions to see those symbols and shadows, hints of Christ, in a ritual meal that was established centuries before His incarnation. Luke records that Jesus, newly resurrected, confirms this to disheartened disciples leaving Jerusalem: “And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”
So why are we doing a Seder meal? For a living history experience that hopefully helps us grow in love and understanding for our Passover Lamb Jesus, during this Easter season.