Passover Seder

Last night I had the opportunity to participate in a Passover Seder done by Jews for Jesus. I've been wanting to attend one of these events for years but there were always a reason that I couldn't attend but now my desire finally come to fruition.

To say that I was excited for my first Passover Seder is an understatement. Jewish festivals, customs and traditions have always intrigued me. I'm fascinated by their symbolism and close connection to God. I've always felt draw to the culture. After all my Savior is Jewish. The bible truths that I learn and live by are of Jewish men & women. Through the sacrifice of Jesus I am adopted into the family. I just want to learn and experience more about the Jewish culture.


It was a great night. The leader was insightful, humorous and passionate. He lead us through the items of the Seder plate explaining along the way the symbolism.

Karpas, the green herb dipped in salt water, the tears of life.
The Matzah the bread of affliction.
The Z'roah, a portion of the shank-bone of a lamb, to represent the Paschal Offering.
The Maror &Hazereth, whole & ground horseradish, the bitterness of bondage in slavery.
The Haroseth. a compote of apple, cinnamon and raisin, symbolizes the Mortar used by the Israelites during the Egyptian bondage.
And the Hagigah, a baked egg, reminiscent of the Free-will Offering that accompanied the Paschal Offering, and a token of grief for the destruction of the Temple. At the same time a symbol of new life.

Between the the Seder there was 4 cups that were taken to commemorate God's four-fold promise of redemption to the Children of Israel. With each drinking of the cup a blessing is recited, "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the Vine."

 Kiddush, the Cup of Sanctification
The Cup of the Plagues
The Cup of Redemption (Communion)
The Cup of Elijah




As the meal went on you were able to see how Jesus is found in the Passover. It was a beautiful story told through symbolism. The one that spoke to me the most was of the Matzah bread. This unleaven bread is baked on rakes, which gives it those stripes when it bakes. They also puncture holes in the matzah. Just like Christ he was pierced by our transgression and by his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) The symbolism doesn't stop there. During the portion in the Seder where the Matzah is introduced, the middle layer is removed from the matzah tash and broken. One half becomes the "Afikoman, "that which comes after." The leader wraps the Afikoman and hides it. After the meal and before the 3rd cup the children go out and search for the Afikoman. The one that finds it returns it to the leader and the leader pays a ransom. The Afikoman is the Paschal Lamb (for us this is Jesus) who sanctifies us and paid our ransom. It's an amazing analogy.

Right before the Seder ended the Aaronic Benediction was said, (Numbers 6:24-27)

  "May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and grant you peace. "

The evening ended in dance!

I feel so blessed to have had this experience. Perhaps it will be a yearly event. Christ through the Passover. It's a night I won't forget!



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