Passover Reflections
By Jorge Sedaca, Executive Director, Chosen People Ministries (Canada)
By Jorge Sedaca, Executive Director, Chosen People Ministries (Canada)
Every year during the Passover (Pesach) season, I – like many other Chosen People Ministries workers around the world – have the privilege of leading a number of what we call “Messiah in the Passover” presentations. As its name suggests, the purpose of these events is to show how Jesus the Messiah is the fulfillment of the Passover symbols.
As Jews we celebrate God’s deliverance from our slavery in Egypt thousands of years ago through the blood of the Passover lamb. As believers in Jesus we celebrate our deliverance from a life of sin through the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb, Jesus Himself, by His death on the cross.
These presentations vary in length and type according to the venue and the audience. Why do we celebrate Passover with Gentile believers at their churches?
Among the many reasons that come to mind, two are of particular importance. One is that it helps followers of Jesus understand God’s eternal plan of salvation and redemption for mankind. Passover gives, in many clear and visual ways, a preview of what God fulfilled many centuries after the first Passover through the person of His Son, Jesus the Messiah. In this sense, a seder presentation provides a full picture of the Lord’s plan and how He revealed it to us in stages.
The second reason for celebrating Passover with the church is that it provides a deeper understanding of communion or the Lord’s Supper. During Jesus’ last Passover on earth, as He celebrated with his disciples, He took the afikomen – a piece of unleavened bread eaten after the Passover supper – and the ha geulah – the third of four cups of wine during the seder – and gave them a new meaning and symbolism. From then on, they would be a reminder to us of His body beaten, pierced and sacrificed in our place, and of His blood shed willingly for the forgiveness and cleansing of our sins. These two elements are the ones we partake of when we celebrate communion or the Lord’s Supper in our congregations.
As we come to the conclusion of these days of Passover, I have to say that, in spite of the hectic travelling and the many presentations I led, I was always blessed by the Lord. As I lead these presentations, the Lord speaks to me in fresh and new ways about the love, the grace and the mercy He has shown to us through His Son Jesus. I am also blessed when I see believers discover new truths about Messiah that help them grow in their walk with the Lord.
If your church or group is interested in learning more about Passover or hosting one in the future, please contact our office. We will be glad to work out all the details with you.
As we say when we conclude Passover:
L’Shanah haba’ah bi Yerushalayim! Next year in Jerusalem!