And ye shall observe this thing [Passover] for an ordinance to thee
and to thy sons for ever:.. And it shall come to pass, when your
children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? that ye shall
say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord 's Passover, who passed over the
houses of the children of Israel in Egypt... (Exodus [Shemot]
12:24,26-27).
Understanding the Passover
(Pesach)
Season
G-d
declared Passover (Pesach) to be a permanent celebration for
all eternity (Exodus [Shemot] 12:2,6,13-14). Historically,
Passover (Pesach) celebrates G-d's deliverance of the children
of Israel
from bondage in Egypt
(Mitzrayim), where they were slaves to the Egyptians (Exodus [Shemot]
2:23-24; 6:5-8; 13:3,14).
The
spiritual application that G-d wants us to understand is this:
Egypt
(Mitzrayim) is a type of the world and the world's system. Its
ruler, Pharaoh, was a type of satan (Ha satan). The bondage
people are in when they live according to the ways of the world's system
is sin (John [Yochanan] 8:34).
Historically,
the children of Israel were delivered from the bondage in Egypt
(Mitzrayim) by putting the blood of a lamb upon the doorposts
of their houses (Exodus [Shemot] 12:2,6,13). Spiritually, this
is a picture of the Messiah Yeshua and how those who believe in
Him are delivered from the bondages of sin and the rule of satan (Ha
satan) in their lives. Yeshua is the Lamb of G-d (John [Yochanan]
1:29). Yeshua is also our Passover (Pesach) (1
Corinthians 5:7). Those who follow Yeshua are the house of G-d
(Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter [Kefa] 2:5). The doorposts are our
hearts. It is only through trusting by faith (emunah) in the
shed blood of Yeshua (Jesus), our Passover (Pesach),
that we are free from the bondage of sin (Galatians 4:3-5,9; 5:1; 2
Peter [Kefa] 2:19). This is because the blood of Yeshua
redeems us from sin (Leviticus [Vayikra] 17:11; Ephesians 1:7;
Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter [Kefa] 1:18-19; 1 John [Yochanan]
1:7; Revelation 1:5).
During
Passover (Pesach), the head of each household was to take a
lamb of the first year on the tenth day of the first month known as
Nisan and set it aside until the fourteenth day (Exodus [Shemot]
12:3-6). In the evening of the fourteenth day, at exactly 3:00 p.m., the
lamb was to be killed (Exodus [Shemot] 12:6). The blood of the
lamb was to be sprinkled on the lintel and two side posts of the
household door. The lamb was to be roasted with fire, with bitter herbs,
and with unleavened bread, and the entire household was to feast upon
the body of the lamb (Exodus [Shemot] 12:7-8). The people were
instructed by G-d to eat the lamb with haste and to be dressed and ready
to leave Egypt (Mitzrayim) at the midnight hour. This would be
the fifteenth day of Nisan (Exodus [Shemot] 12:10-11).
At
midnight on that fateful evening in Egypt, death passed through the
land. Every house that did not have the token of the blood on the
doorposts and lintel suffered the judgment of G-d (Exodus [Shemot]
12:12-15). The Hebrew word for Passover is Pesach, which means
"to pass or hover over." This word speaks to us about two things. First,
it shows the passing over in judgment from death and sin to life in
Yeshua. Second, it tells us about allowing, by faith (emunah),
the blood of Yeshua to hover over our lives and give us divine
protection from the evil one (Ha satan).
God's Commandments
(Mitzvot)
for Passover
(Pesach)
Passover
was the beginning of months (Exodus [Shemot] 12:2).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). Nisan is the first
month of the religious calendar. Receiving Yeshua into our
lives is the beginning of a New Covenant (Brit Hadashah)
relationship with G-d (Jeremiah [Yermiyahu] 31:31-33; John [Yochanan]
3:5-7; Romans 6:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Passover is the first of the
feasts. Likewise, repenting of our sins (teshuvah) and
believing in the shed blood of Yeshua is our first step in our
walk (halacha) with G-d.
The lamb
was hidden for four days (Exodus [Shemot] 12:3,6).
Messianic
Fulfillment. G-d commanded Israel to take a
lamb on the tenth day of Nisan and set it aside until the fourteenth
day. These four days were fulfilled by Yeshua during the Passover (Pesach)
week. Remember, Yeshua is the Lamb of G-d (John [Yochanan]
1:29). He entered Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) and went to the
temple (Beit HaMikdash), which was the house of G-d, and went
on public display there for four days from Nisan 10 to Nisan 14 (Matthew
[Mattityahu] 21:1,9-12,17-18,23; 24:1,3; 26:1-5).
Eschatologically,
these four days that the lamb was hidden is prophetic of the people's
expectations that the Messiah would come 4,000 years from the creation
of Adam as part of the 7,000 year plan of G-d to redeem both man and the
earth back to how things were in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden)
(Mishnah, San Hedrin 97-98). These four days are prophetic of the
Messiah Yeshua being hid from the world and not coming to earth
for four days or 4,000 years from the creation of Adam. A day is
understood to be prophetic of a thousand years, based upon Psalm (Tehillim)
90:4 and Second Peter (Kefa) 3:8. Linking Psalm 90:4 to each
day in creation, G-d ordained each day in creation to be prophetic of a
thousand years of time and the entire redemption to take 7,000 years to
complete from the fall of man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis [Bereishit]
1:1,5,8,13,19,23,31; 2:1-3).
The lamb
was to be without blemish (Exodus [Shemot] 12:5).
Messianic
Fulfillment. Yeshua was the Lamb of G-d (John
[Yochanan] 1:29) without spot or blemish (1 Peter [Kefa]
1:18-20). During the crucifixion week, Yeshua was examined by
many in fulfilling this Scripture, including:
(a)
The chief priests and elders (Matthew [Mattityahu] 21:23)
(d)
Annas the high priest (Cohen HaGadol) (Luke 3:2; John [Yochanan]
18:13,24)
(e)
Caiaphas the high priest (John [Yochanan] 11:49-53;
18:13-14,19-24,28)
(f)
Judas (Matthew [Mattityahu] 27:3-10)
(g)
The centurion (Matthew [Mattityahu] 27:54)
(h)
The repentant thief (Luke 23:39-43).
When we examine Yeshua, we
must conclude also that He was without blot or blemish.
The lamb
was of the first year (Exodus [Shemot] 11:4-7; 12:5).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). G-d always
distinguishes between the believers and the world (Exodus [Shemot]
12:29-30). This can be seen in the examples that follow. The firstborn
of both man and beast was to be set aside and given to G-d (Exodus [Shemot]
13:2,11-13). The theme of the firstborn runs throughout the Bible. Cain
was set aside for Abel (Genesis [Bereishit] 4:1-8); Ishmael for
Isaac (Yitzchak) (Genesis [Bereishit] 16:1,11-12,15;
17:17-19); Esau for Jacob (Ya'akov) (Genesis [Bereishit]
25:19-26; Romans 9:8-13); and Egypt (Mitzrayim) for Israel.
Spiritually,
G-d gave us these examples to teach us that the firstborn after the
flesh (that which is natural) is set aside to bring forth the firstborn
after the spirit (that which is spiritual). In this process, G-d
distinguishes between the first or natural birth and the second or
spiritual birth. The first birth constitutes us as sinners and the
second birth makes us believers and children of G-d (John [Yochanan]
1:12; 3:1-7; Romans 9:8-13; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 15:45-47).
Messianic
Fulfillment.Yeshua was the firstborn
of Mary (Miryam) naturally, and the firstborn of G-d
spiritually (Matthew [Mattityahu] 1:21-25; Romans 8:29;
Colossians 1:15,18; Revelation 3:14).
It is a
male (Exodus [Shemot] 12:5).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). It was through one
man's sin that sin came into the world (Romans 5:12; 1 Timothy 2:12-14).
Because Adam, the first male, sinned, so a male, Yeshua, must
die to atone for that sin (Romans 5:17-19).
It is a
lamb for a house (Exodus [Shemot] 12:3-4).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). G-d's intention was
that all (households) experience salvation. The lamb was a lamb for the
house. By believing in the Messiah Yeshua, we become members of
the household of faith (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19). Salvation for a
household is available to all who believe in the Messiah, Yeshua,
the Lamb of G-d (Genesis [Bereishit] 7:1; 18:16-19; Joshua [Yehoshua]
24:15; John [Yochanan] 4:46-54; Luke 19:5-10; Acts 16:15,31;
18:3,8).
Messianic
Fulfillment. There is a progressive revelation
of the Lamb in the Bible. First, there is a lamb for a house (Exodus [Shemot]
12:3-4; second, a lamb for a nation (John [Yochanan] 11:49-52);
and finally, a lamb for the world (John [Yochanan] 1:29).
Genesis
(Bereishit) 22 is known in Hebrew as the Akeidah, or
the binding of the sacrifice. In Genesis (Bereishit) 22:7,
Isaac (Yitzchak) asked, "Where is the lamb?" The lamb that
Isaac (Yitzchak) asked about is Yeshua (Isaiah [Yeshayahu]
53:7).
A
Passover (Pesach) lamb was to be killed between the
evenings (Exodus [Shemot] 12:6).
The
biblical day goes from evening to evening, from sundown to sundown,
which is roughly 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Genesis [Bereishit]
1:5,8,13,19,23,31). The day (6:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) is divided into two
12-hour periods. The evening runs from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The
morning runs from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Each 12-hour period is divided
into two smaller portions. From 6:00 a.m. to noon is the morning part of
the day. From noon to 6:00 p.m. is the evening part of the day. The
phrase, "between the evening" (from Exodus [Shemot] 12:6)
refers to the period of the day that goes from noon to 6:00 p.m., which
is exactly 3:00 p.m. This would be the ninth hour of the day, counting
from 6:00 a.m.
Messianic
Fulfillment.Yeshua died at the ninth
hour of the day (Matthew [Mattityahu] 27:45-50). This would be
exactly 3:00 p.m. (the ninth hour, counting from 6:00 a.m.).
The whole
assembly shall kill it (Exodus [Shemot] 12:6).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). Every person who has
ever lived on planet Earth and sinned is guilty of killing Yeshua
because He died for all sinners (Romans 3:10,23). No human being had the
power to take His life (John [Yochanan] 10:17-18). Therefore,
Yeshua laid down His life for us by His own free will. There
has been a misplaced accusation over the years that the Jews were the
people who killed Yeshua. As a result, they have suffered
horrendously over the centuries. To my beloved Jewish friends who are
reading this book, I ask you with sincere repentance (teshuvah):
Please forgive those who are ignorant of the truth. The truth is that
I killed Yeshua, as did everyone who ever
lived on planet Earth, because He died for my sins! (Romans 5:8,12)
Messianic
Fulfillment. A whole congregation of people
was involved in the death of Yeshua. The Gospels of Matthew (Mattityahu),
Mark, Luke, and John (Yochanan) show how the Sanhedrin, the
priests, the Romans, and the people of Israel all clamored for the
crucifixion of Yeshua and for His blood to be shed (Matthew [Mattityahu]
27:17,20-22,25; Acts 4:26-28).
The blood
must be applied to the door (Exodus [Shemot]
12:7,13,22).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). Those who believe in
the Messiah are the house of G-d (Ephesians 2:19; I Timothy 3:15;
Hebrews 3:6). The only way into the house of G-d is through the shed
blood of the Messiah Yeshua, who is the Door (John [Yochanan]
10:7-9).
The body
of the lamb must be eaten (Exodus [Shemot] 12:8-10).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). Both the body and blood
of the lamb speak of the body and blood of Yeshua (Matthew [Mattityahu]
26:26-28). We spiritually eat of the body of the Lamb (Yeshua)
when we eat of His body (today represented by the bread), which
spiritually is the Word of G-d (Luke 11:3; 4:4). By following the Word
of G-d and obeying the commandments (mitzvot) of G-d with
sincerity of heart, we eat (spiritually) of His body.
a) It must be eaten the
same night (Exodus [Shemot] 12:8). Yeshua was
crucified, suffered, and died the same night.
b) It must be eaten with
unleavened bread (Exodus [Shemot] 12:8). Leaven speaks
of sin (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). Unleavened bread is without sin. As
believers, we are instructed to live holy (unleavened) lives before
G-d (Leviticus [Vayikra] 11:44; 19:2; 1 Peter [Kefa]
1:15-16).
c) It must be eaten with
bitter herbs (Exodus [Shemot] 12:8).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). To those who have
accepted the Messiah into their lives, bitter herbs speak of two things.
First, they speak of the bondage and burdens we experience while living
in this world (a type of Egypt) before we accepted Yeshua into
our lives. This burden of sin is placed on us by satan (Ha satan)
when we yield to his lies and deception, and then sin because of our own
evil desires. Second, the bitter herbs speak of the bitter things that
come into our lives after we accept Yeshua and attempt to
follow Him on a daily basis.
Messianic Fulfillment. For Yeshua,
dying on the tree was a bitter experience because He had to pay for
man's sin with His sinless life.
d) The lamb must be roasted
in fire (Exodus [Shemot] 12:8).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). Fire speaks of
judgment, refining, and purification. Our faith (emunah) is
judged and tested by fire so it can be refined and purified and come
forth as pure gold (Zechariah 13:9; James [Ya'akov] 1:12; 1
Peter [Kefa] 1:7; Revelation 3:18).
e) It must not be sodden
with water. The gospel (basar) of Yeshua must
not be watered down (Mark 7:9,13; 2 Timothy 3:5).
f) The head, legs, and
other parts of the lamb must be eaten.
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). Those who believe in
Yeshua must feed on the mind of Yeshua (Philippians
2:5; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:21-23; Hebrews 8:10).
The legs speak of our walk (halacha) (Colossians 2:6). How are
the believers in Yeshua to walk? (See Romans 6:4; 8:1,4; 2
Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 2:10; 5:2,8; Colossians 1:10,
4:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 1 John [Yochanan] 1:7; 2 John 1:6; 3
John 1:4.)
The lamb
must be eaten in haste (Exodus [Shemot] 12:11).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). Bible believers must be
quick to leave Egypt (the influences of the world) and run toward the
life that is in the Messiah (Luke 19:5-6).
a) It must be eaten with
our loins girded (Exodus [Shemot] 12:11). Our loins
being girded speaks about our hearts' desire to eagerly serve and obey
G-d. Our spiritual loins are the truth of the Word of G-d (Ephesians
6:14). Scriptures that speak about our loins being girded include the
following: First Kings (Melachim) 18:46; Second Kings (Melachim)
4:29; 9:1; Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 1:17; Luke 12:35; Ephesians
6:14; First Peter (Kefa) 1:13.
b) Shoes must be on our
feet (Exodus [Shemot] 12:11). Shoes on our feet speaks
about our walk with God. Scriptures that speak about shoes being on our
feet include the following: Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 52:7; Nahum [Nachum]
1:15; Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15.
c) A staff must be in our
hand (Exodus [Shemot] 12:11). A staff in our hand
speaks about the believer's authority in the Kingdom of G-d by the name
of Yeshua (Matthew [Mattityahu] 28:18-20). Scriptures
that speak about a staff being in our hand include the following:
Genesis (Bereishit) 38:17-18; Exodus (Shemot) 14:16;
Judges (Shoftim) 6:21; First Samuel (Sh 'muwel)
17:39-40; Second Samuel (Sh 'muwel) 3:29; Second Kings (Melachim)
4:29; 18:21; Psalm (Tehillim) 23:4; Isaiah (Yeshayahu)
10:24; 14:5; Mark 6:7-8.
It is the
L-rd's Passover (Exodus [Shemot] 12:11).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). If we follow Yeshua
with all of our hearts, we will pass from death to life, and from
judgment to divine protection (John [Yochanan] 5:24; 1 John [Yochanan]
3:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm [Tehillim] 91).
It is a
memorial (Exodus [Shemot] 12:14; Luke 22:1,7-8,
13-15,19).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). Passover (Pesach)
is a memorial or a remembrance (Luke 22:1,7-8,13-15,19). There are two
elements of remembrance:
a) G-d remembers us
(Genesis [Bereishit] 8:1; 9:1, 5-16; 19:29; 30:22; Exodus [Shemot]
2:24-25; 3:1; 6:2,5; 32:1-3,7,11,13-14; Leviticus [Vayikra]
26:14,31-33,38-45; Numbers [Bamidbar] 10:1-2,9; Psalm [Tehillim]
105:7-8,42-43; 112:6). In fact, G-d has a book of remembrance (Exodus [Shemot]
32:32-33; Malachi 3:16-18; Revelation 3:5; 20:11-15; 21:1,27).
b) We must remember G-d
(Exodus [Shemot] 13:3; 20:8; Deuteronomy [Devarim]
7:17-19; 8:18; 16:3; Numbers [Bamidbar] 15:37-41).
It is to
be observed at the going down of the sun (Deuteronomy [Devarim]
16:2,6). This was fulfilled by Yeshua at His crucifixion
(Matthew [Mattityahu] 27:45-46).
It is the
place where G-d would put His name (Deuteronomy [Devarim]
16:2,6).
Messianic
Fulfillment. The place where G-d has put His
name is Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) (2 Kings [Melachim]
21:4). Yeshua was crucified in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).
Not a
bone of the lamb was to be broken (Exodus [Shemot]
12:43-46).
Messianic
Fulfillment. Not a bone of Yeshua was broken
on the tree (John [Yochanan] 19:33).
There was
to be an explanation of the service (Exodus [Shemot]
12:25-28).
Messianic
Fulfillment.Yeshua explained each
part of the Passover (Pesach) as He did the service (Luke
22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
The
Egyptians were spoiled at the Exodus (Exodus [Shemot]
12:31-36).
Messianic
Fulfillment. Satan was spoiled when Yeshua
entered hell and rose again (Colossians 2:15).
You must
be circumcised to eat the Passover (Exodus [Shemot]
12:48; Joshua [Yehoshua] 5:2-10).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). The physical act of
circumcision was only a picture of the inward or spiritual circumcision
that G-d wanted us to have (Romans 2:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:46; 2
Corinthians 4:18). God has always desired for His people to be
circumcised in the heart (Deuteronomy [Devarim] 10:12-16; 1
Corinthians 7:18-19; Galatians 2:3; 5:2-3; 6:12-15; Ephesians 2:11-13).
The
Passover (Pesach) feast was to be a holy convocation, and
no work was to be done (Exodus [Shemot] 12:16).
Spiritual Application
(Halacha). A believer finds true rest in
ceasing from his own works and resting in the finished work of
Yeshua, G-d's Passover (Pesach) Lamb (Genesis [Bereishit]
2:1-2; Matthew [Mattityahu] 11:28-30; John [Yochanan]
17:1-4; 19:30; Hebrews 3:14-19; 4:1-10).
The
Passover (Pesach) must be killed outside the gates of the
city (Deuteronomy [Devarim] 16:5).
Messianic
Fulfillment.Yeshua was crucified
outside of the city walls of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) at a
place called Golgotha (John [Yochanan] 19:16-19; Hebrews
13:10-13).
There is
healing power in the lamb (Exodus [Shemot] 15:26).
Messianic
Fulfillment.Yeshua is the Healer
sent from G-d (Psalm [Tehillim] 105:36-38; Isaiah [Yeshayahu]
53:1-5; 1 Peter [Kefa] 2:24; 1 Corinthians 11:26-30).
The
Exodus was on eagle's wings (Exodus [Shemot] 19:4).
Scriptures
associated with this are Deuteronomy (Devarim) 32:9-13; Isaiah
(Yeshayahu) 31:5; 40:31; Luke 17:33-37; Revelation 12:6,14.
They sang
a song of rejoicing to the L-rd (Exodus [Shemot]
15:1,19-21).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). Whenever a believer
experiences and understands the meaning of Passover (Pesach),
there is a spirit of rejoicing to the L-rd for his or her deliverance
from sin, and for experiencing the newness of life in the Messiah. Note:
The Passover Seder, which is the service and meal that celebrates the
Passover, always ends with songs of rejoicing and the declaration: Next year in Jerusalem! This can be seen in Mark 14:26.
Israel is
the firstborn of G-d (Exodus [Shemot] 4:22-23).
Spiritual
Application (Halacha). All those who accept
the Messiah Yeshua are called the firstborn of G-d even as
Yeshua is called the firstborn of G-d (Romans 8:29; Colossians
1:15,18; Hebrews 12:22-24).'
Did Yeshua have a Passover Meal?
Today
there are 15 steps in the Passover Seder. In order to understand if
Yeshua had a Passover Seder, we need to know what is done during a
Passover Seder. Therefore, I will list the 15 steps to the Passover
Seder and explain what is done in each part. By doing this, we can
determine if Yeshua had a Passover Seder prior to His
crucifixion.
Before
I begin to explain the 15 steps to the Passover Seder, I would like to
comment on one aspect of it. During the Seder, a cup of wine is brought
forth with this blessing: "Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the
Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine." During the Feast of
Passover (Pesach), Yeshua said, "I am the true vine"
(John [Yochanan] 15:1). Isaiah (Yeshayahu) tells us
that G-d had a vineyard and that vineyard was Israel (Isaiah [Yeshayahu]
5:7). The choice vine planted in the vineyard was the Messiah (Isaiah [Yeshayahu]
5:2).
THE SEDER SERVICE
Kaddesh and the first cup.
During
the Kaddesh, the first of four cups of wine is blessed and
drunk. This first cup of wine is called the cup of sanctification.
Before the wine is drunk, a blessing is recited: "Blessed are You, L-rd
our G-d, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine."
U-r'chatz
(the washing of hands). No
blessing is recited.
Karpas (this word means "parsley, green herbs").
This
refers to the place in the Seder when the celebrants dip a green
vegetable in salt water and eat it (John [Yochanan] 13:26-27).
The oldest will sit on the left side of the table and will dip the sop.
From this, we can conclude that Judas was the oldest disciple. The
youngest will sit on the right side of the table. Benjamin (Benyamin)
was the youngest of Jacob's (Ya'akov's) sons. Benjamin means
"son of my right hand" in Hebrew.
Yachatz (the breaking of the bread).
The
middle piece of three pieces of bread, or matzot, is
ceremonially broken in two. Matzah (plural is matzot)
is unleavened bread. The larger piece is wrapped in a napkin and set
aside as the afikomen, the matzah that is eaten at the
end of the meal. This can be seen in Luke 22:19.
The
Maggid (the telling of the story of the Exodus).
The
Maggid concludes with the second cup of wine, which is called
the cup of wrath. Yeshua partook of this second cup at the
Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42-44). In telling the story of the
Exodus, each person is to see the Exodus as if G-d personally redeemed
them! This is based upon Exodus (Shemot) 13:8.
Rachtzah (the washing of hands with a blessing).
Motzi
(the blessing over bread).
The
blessing over the bread is as follows: "Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d,
King of the Universe, who brings forth the bread from the earth." This
blessing is a prophecy of the resurrection of the Messiah from the earth
because He is the believer's bread (John [Yochanan] 6:47-51).
G-d brought forth the bread (Yeshua) from the earth following
His death (Acts 2:31-33).
Matzah (the Matzah is blessed and eaten).
In
John (Yochanan) 13:23, we can see that the disciples were
leaning or reclining. Passover (Pesach) is called the season of
our freedom. On this day, you are freed from the slavery of Egypt (Mitzrayim),
symbolizing the bondage of sin, and you are seen as a king. Kings
traditionally recline at their meals, and so celebrants reclined during
portions of the Passover Seder. The believers in Yeshua are
kings and priests before G-d (Revelation 1:6; 5:10).
Maror
(bitter herbs are blessed and eaten).Maror is bitter
herbs. These bitter herbs are symbolized by romaine lettuce and
horseradish.
Korech (the matzah and maror are eaten together).
Shulchan Orech (the meal is eaten).
Tzafun (the afikomen that was hidden is found,
ransomed, and then eaten).
Barech (grace after meals).
At
the conclusion of Barech, the blessing for wine is recited over
the third cup. Then the cup is drunk. This is the cup of redemption
(Luke 22:20; l Corinthians 10:16).
Hallel
Psalms
(Tehillim) 115-118 are chanted in special praise to G-d. The
fourth cup is now filled, and a door is opened for Elijah (Eliyahu)
to enter and proclaim the coming of Messiah.
Nirtzah (all is finished).
A
final song is sung and ends with the phrase, Next Year in
Jerusalem! This can be seen in Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26.
Yeshua
ate the Passover (Luke 22:15). This Scripture passage refers
specifically to the Lamb. Frequently, there were two sacrifices during
the Feast of Passover. One lamb is the Passover lamb and the other lamb
is called the haggigah or peace offering. These sacrifices are
referred to in Deuteronomy (Devarim) 16:2 where G-d required
that the sacrifice be from both the flock and the herd. This
was interpreted to mean that two sacrifices were needed. The
Haggigah (the additional lamb) was offered in addition to the
Pesach (the Passover lamb). The Pesach was required, but
the Haggigah was not because it was a freewill offering.
During
the days of Yeshua, in order to have a Seder, you needed to
register at a rabbinical court in the temple (Beit HaMikdash),
and you must have at least 10 and no more than 20 people. Each group of
pilgrims who came to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim had one
representative carrying a lamb without spot or blemish (Exodus [Shemot]
12:4-5). An assembly of at least 10 people (known in Hebrew as a
minyan) was required to participate in the ceremony.
Each
group of people entered the temple (Beit HaMikdash) with their
lamb. They were instructed, "You must slay the lamb, not the priests."
The priests caught the blood and ministered the blood according to the
Scriptures. The only place where a Passover (Pesach) lamb could
be killed was in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). Therefore, those who
couldn't come to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) to keep the Passover
(Pesach), but still wanted to keep the meal, would have to have
a substitute for the Passover (Pesach) lamb. That substitute
was the shankbone of a lamb. It has a special name in Hebrew: zeroah,
or arm. Yeshua was referred to as the zeroah or arm of
the L-rd in Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 53:1. The shankbone or
zeroah will be a remembrance of the lamb that was slain.
The
Passover (em>Pesach) requirement is that you must eat until you
are full. The entire lamb must be consumed before midnight on the
fifteenth of Nisan. If you had only 10 people, you would not want to
have two lambs because they could not be totally eaten in time. This
would violate the commandment (mitzvah)) that the lamb was to be
eaten before midnight (Exodus [Shemot] 12:8). If you had 20
people, one lamb would not be enough to make everyone full, and this
would also violate the commandment (mitzvah) given by G-d.
Therefore, if you had 20 people, you would need two lambs.
Once
again, Yeshua ate the Passover (Luke 22:15). You can have a
Seder without a Pesach (or Passover lamb), but you cannot have
a lamb without a Seder. Also, since Yeshua was the Passover
Lamb of G-d (John [Yochanan] 1:29), He had to come to Jerusalem
(Yerushalayim) from Bethany not only to be the Passover (Pesach)
lamb, but also for the Seder (Mark 14:3,12-16). So, Yeshua was
having a Passover lamb (Luke 22:15), and it was a Seder. Today, there is
no temple (Beit HaMikdash), so the Passover Seder is held on
the fifteenth or sixteenth of Nisan. The Seder on the fifteenth is
called the First Seder, and the Seder on the sixteenth is called the
Second Seder.
In
Mark 14:12, it is written, "And the first day of unleavened bread, when
they killed the Passover [the Pesach lamb]...." The word
translated as first is the Greek word protos, which means "before,
earlier, and preceding." Because there was a temple (Beit HaMikdash)
in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) in the days of Yeshua, the
First Seder would be on the fourteenth of Nisan, and the Second Seder on
the fifteenth. The Seder could be held on either night. Yeshua
had His Passover (Pesach/em>) Seder by midnight on the fourteenth
of Nisan (remember that the fourteenth of Nisan begins at sundown, which
is roughly six hours prior to midnight), and was crucified the next
afternoon at 3:00 p.m., which is still the fourteenth of Nisan.
TThe
high priest (Cohen HaGadol) kills the Passover (Pesach)
lamb for the nation of Israel at 3:00 p.m. on the fourteenth of Nisan.
At sundown, the fifteenth begins, so Yeshua would have to eat
His Passover lamb by midnight of the fourteenth of Nisan, which is prior
to the time that the high priest kills the Passover lamb for the nation.
To further prove this, in John (Yochanan) 18:28, when
Yeshua was brought before Pilate, Caiaphas the high priest (Cohen
HaGadol) wouldn't enter the judgment hall of the Gentile ruler
because he would be defiled and couldn't eat the Passover lamb. So, this
event must have taken place on the morning of the fourteenth of Nisan
because the high priest had not yet eaten the Passover. If he was
defiled, he would be defiled for one day. Since Yeshua had
already eaten the Passover by the time He was seized and taken before
Caiaphas and Pilate, He had to have eaten the Passover with the
disciples on the evening of the fourteenth. Thus, we can see how
Yeshua ate a Passover meal and could still fulfill being the
Passover Lamb of G-d by being killed at 3:00 p.m. on the fourteenth of
Nisan.
The Bread and Cups of the Passover Seder/span>
During
the celebration of Pesach,, three cakes of unleavened bread (matzot)
are placed one upon another, with a napkin between each cake. At a
certain point in the Seder service, the middle cake, known as the
afikomen, or "that which come after," is broken in two. One piece
is distributed among the people present, and the larger piece is hidden
in a napkin. Toward the end of the Passover Seder, the hidden portion is
brought to light and eaten by those surrounding the Passover table. The
Messianic understanding is that these three pieces of matzot represent
G-d the Father, the Messiah Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit (Ruach
HaKodesh). The central piece, the afikomen, is broken, a
portion is eaten, and the remainder hidden and then brought forth to
testify of the death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua.
During
the course of the Seder, the four cups of wine that are served to the
people present at the Seder are used in the following manner, and are
called: /span>
The cup
of blessing (Luke 22:17; 1 Corinthians 10:16). This cup is
called the cup of sanctification, or the Kiddush.
The cup
of wrath (Luke 22:42-44). This cup is not drunk, but is poured
out on the table as the plagues of Egypt are recited. Yeshua
drank of this cup for us in the Garden of Gethsemane and when He
died on the tree.
The cup
of blessing, salvation, or redemption. This cup is filled to
overflowing, symbolizing an overflowing salvation (Psalm [Tehillim]
116:13).
The cup of the kingdom (Luke 22:18,20; Matthew [Mattityahu]
26:28-29). Yeshua spoke of eating and drinking afresh in
the Messianic age with His disciples after His resurrection.
In
addition to the four cups of wine served to the people, another cup,
called the cup of Elijah (Eliyahu), is also a part of the
Seder. This cup is poured out at the end of the Seder. Only Elijah (Eliyahu)
himself, or one coming in the spirit and power of Elijah, or the
Messiah, was allowed to drink of this cup. When Yeshua referred
to Himself drinking of this cup, He was saying in no uncertain terms
that He was the Messiah.
How Did Yeshua Fulfill the Passover?
The
Feast of Passover (Pesach) was given by G-d to be a rehearsal (miqra)
of the first coming of Yeshua. The Passover ceremony was
observed in remembrance of the past and in preparation for the future.
Many years after the Passover in Egypt, a person named John (Yochanan)
the Baptist (Immerser), pointed to Yeshua and declared
that He was the Lamb of G-d (John [Yochanan] 1:29). After John
(Yochanan), a type of Elijah (Eliyahu) who would
prepare the coming of Messiah, proclaimed Yeshua as the Lamb of
G-d, Yeshua ministered for three-and-a-half years. At the end
of that time, on the tenth of Nisan, the high priest marched out of the
city of Jerusalem to Bethany where a lamb was to be slain. The lamb was
led back into the city through streets lined with thousands of pilgrims
singing the Hallel (Psalms [Tehillim] 113-118). The liturgy for
Hoshanah Rabbah says that the Messiah will come to the Mount of
Olives and weep over the city. This happened in Luke 19:41. The people
also waved palm branches as Yeshua rode into the city on a
donkey in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. Today, Nisan 10 is known as Palm
Sunday in the non-Jewish community.
The
lamb that was to be slain by the high priest was led into the temple (Beit
HaMikdash) and put in a prominent place of display. Likewise,
Yeshua the Lamb of G-d went on public display when He entered the
temple (Beit HaMikdash) and spent four days there among the
people, the Sadducees, the Pharisees, and the scribes, as the leaders
asked Yeshua their hardest questions. Yeshua was
questioned in front of the people for four days, showing Himself to be
without spot or blemish, fulfilling Exodus (Shemot) 12:5.
On
the fourteenth of Nisan, at the third hour of the day (9:00 a.m.), the
high priest (Cohen HaGadol) took the lamb and ascended the
altar so he could tie the lamb in place on the altar. At the same time
on that day, Yeshua was tied to the tree on Mount Moriah (Mark
15:25). At the time of the evening sacrifice (3:00 p.m.) for Passover
(Exodus [Shemot] 12:6), the high priest (Cohen HaGadol)
ascended the altar, cut the throat of the lamb with a knife, and said
the words, "It is finished." These are the exact words said after giving
a peace offering to G-d. At this same time, Yeshua died, saying
these exact words in John (Yochanan) 19:30. Yeshua
died at exactly 3:00 p.m. (Matthew [Mattityahu] 27:45-46,50).
In
Exodus (Shemot) 12:8-9, we are told the lamb was to be roasted
before sundown. According to the tractate Pesahim in the Mishnah, the
lamb was roasted on an upright pomegranate stick. This pomegranate stick
is representative of the tree upon which Yeshua died. The lamb
was to be gutted, and its intestines were to be removed and put over its
head. Thus, the lamb is referred to as the "crowned sacrifice." This is
a picture of Yeshua in (Psalm [Tehillim] 22:13-18).
Deuteronomy
(Devarim) 16:16 says that all the congregation of Israel was
required to be present at the feasts of Passover (Pesach),
Weeks (Shavuot) or Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Sukkot).
This explains why all were gathered to witness the death of Yeshua
on the tree (Matthew [Mattityahu] 27:1-26).
The
night of the fifteenth of Nisan, G-d commanded the people to eat the
lamb with unleavened bread (matzah) and bitter herbs (maror),
their sandals on their feet and their bags packed and on their backs
(Exodus [Shemot] 12:6,8,11), for on this night they are to
leave Egypt. Likewise, we are to be quick to accept Yeshua into
our hearts and leave Egypt, which represents the sin and idolatry of
this evil world.
The Feast of Passover in the Gospel of John
There
are four recorded Passovers in the Gospel (basar) of John (Yochanan),
even as Yeshua attended the Passover with His parents from year
to year (Luke 2:41-42).
The first
Passover Yeshua attended at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim)
as an adult is recorded in John (Yochanan) 2:13-17. In
these passages, He found the temple (Beit HaMikdash)
defiled with money changers. He then declared that "My house shall
be called of all nations the house of prayer..." (Mark 11:17). The
spiritual application (halacha) is this: The believers in
Yeshua are G-d's temple and we are not to defile it with
sin (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Those who
believe in the Messiah Yeshua are the house of G-d (Hebrews
3:6; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter [Kefa] 2:5).
The second
Passover feast is recorded in John (Yochanan) 5:1-15.
Although the particular feast is not specifically mentioned here, we
know that it is either Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot),
or Tabernacles (Sukkot) because Yeshua went up (aliyah)
to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) to observe it (Deuteronomy [Devarim]
16:16). By knowing what Yeshua did in these passages and
what these feasts teach us, the evidence suggests it was Passover.
This Passover reveals Yeshua as the Healer of men's bodies
and souls; the Forgiver of sin; and the Healer of disease. In the
Egyptian Passover, Israel was to feed upon the body of the lamb. As
they did, they were saved from the destruction of Egypt and their
bodies were healed (Exodus [Shemot] 12:13; Psalm [Tehillim]
105:26,36-37). Thus healing is associated with Passover, and at this
Passover, Yeshua healed an impotent man.
The third
Passover is found in John (Yochanan) 6:1-13. At Passover,
the children of Israel ate the flesh of the lamb, sprinkled the
blood on the door, and ate unleavened bread. Thus the bread and the
lamb's body were eaten by all at Passover. In these passages,
Yeshua is the Bread of Life, the unleavened bread, and the
heavenly manna.
The fourth
Passover is Yeshua's sacrificial death on the tree. He is
the Lamb of G-d and the Unleavened Bread, dying despite having never
sinned.
In
the book of John (Yochanan), in the first Passover, Yeshua
is the Temple Cleanser (the spiritual temple is the physical body of the
believer). In the second Passover, Yeshua is the Healer of body
and soul. In the third Passover, Yeshua is the Bread of Life.
In the fourth Passover, Yeshua is the Lamb of G-d slain for the
sins of the whole world.
The Egyptian Redemption is a Foreshadowing of
the Messianic Redemption
The
G-d of Israel's historical redemption of His people from Egypt is a type
and foreshadowing of the Messianic Redemption in the end of
days. Orthodox Jews call the regathering of both houses of
Israel in the end of days the Ingathering of the Exiles or the
Messianic Redemption . The Ingathering of the Exiles /
Messianic Redemption is a fundamental and foundational belief of
Orthodox Judaism. Orthodox Judaism prays three times a day for the
Ingathering of the Exiles / Messianic Redemption . The
Ingathering of the Exiles / Messianic Redemption is also one of the
13 articles of Jewish faith.
One
of the many prophecies of the Ingathering of the Exiles / Messianic
Redemption or the restoration of both houses of Israel in the
writings of the prophets is found in Ezekiel ( Yechezekel )
37:15-24 as it is written:
The word of
the Lord came again unto me, saying, Moreover, thou son of man, take
thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and the children of Israel
his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph,
the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one
in thine hand. And when the children of they people shall speak unto
thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these? Say unto
them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph,
which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows,
and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them
one stick, and they shall be one in thine hand ... And say unto them,
Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from
among the heathen whither they have gone, and will gather them on every
side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one
nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel ... and David my servant
shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they
shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes and do them.
Who is Ephraim / Joseph or the House of Israel?
According
to Orthodox Jewish understanding of the end of days, Ephraim / Joseph or
the house of Israel wwho is mentioned in the prophecy of Ezekiel
( Yechezekel ) 37:16, 19 are the ten lost / scattered tribes
from the Northern Kingdom of Israel who will be reunited with the Jewish
people of the Southern Kingdom ( house of Judah ). The
Talmud states in Yebamot 16b-17a that the ten tribes of
the scattered Northern Kingdom in their places of exile in the end of
days will be regarded as having the status of "Gentiles" ( goyim
) as far as keeping the Torah and halacha are concerned.
In the Talmud
in Yebamot 16b it is written:
Rab Judah said in the name of R. Assi: If at the present time a heathen
betroths [a daughter of Israel], note must be taken of such betrothal
since it may be that he is of the ten tribes.
However,
the halacha (accepted belief of Orthodox Judaism) regarding the
ten tribes of the scattered Northern Kingdom (em> house of Israel
) is that they will in the end of days:
Embrace the
Torah
Celebrate
the Sabbath ( Shabbat )
Observe the
Biblical festivals of Leviticus ( Vayikra ) 23
Reunite with
the Southern Kingdom of Judah ( house of Judah )
Return to
the land of Israel (specifically the mountains of Israel or the West
Bank) along with Judah prior to the coming of King Messiah (
Mashiach )
Furthermore,
there are Orthodox Jewish organizations today that are doing research to
locate and identify the present descendents of the ten scattered tribes
of the historical Northern Kingdom. Brit-Am ( Brit in Hebrew =
covanent and Am in Hebrew = people) founded by an Orthodox Jew
named Yair Davidy who lives in Jerusalem, Israel, is one such
organization. Based upon the biblical characteristics of the location of
the ten scattered tribes in their exile in the end of days, history,
archeological evidence and the traditional Orthodox Jewish perspective
of the ten lost tribes based upon what is written about them in the
Talmud , Yair Davidy has concluded that many of the present
descendents of the ten scattered tribes of the Northern Kingdom are
practicing the religion of Christianity. He has published these findings
in several books that he has written and also in his ministry magazine.
What
is fascinating about this Orthodox Jewish research is that, based upon
careful examination of the writings in the New Testament ( Brit
Hadashah ) including the words and teachings of Yeshua ,
the apostle Paul ( Rav Sha'ul) and the apostle Peter ( Kefa
), the same conclusion can be drawn. When accepting Yeshua
as Messiah ( Mashiach ), some of the descendents of the
historical Northern Kingdom become a part of future Christianity.
The Northern Kingdom and the New Testament (Brit Hadashah)
When
they accept Yeshua as Messiah ( Mashiach ), the New
Testament ( Brit Hadashah ) links some of the historical
descendents of the Northern Kingdom (ten scattered tribes) to
Christianity. In Hosea ( Hoshea ) 1:9, the Northern Kingdom is
called lo-ammi (not my people), but in Hosea ( Hoshea
) 1:10 they would be called in a future time, " sons of the living
God " and be reunited with the house of Judah in the end of days
Hosea ( Hoshea ) 1:11). The believers in Yeshua as
Messiah ( Mashiach ) are linked with the prophecy of the
destiny of the Northern Kingdom in Hosea ( Hoshea ) 1:9-10.
In
First Peter ( Kefa ) 2:10, through belief in Yeshua as
Messiah ( Mashiach ) those who were formerly called lo-ammi
(not a people) are once again called " sons of the living God
". Notice that this corresponds to the prophesied destiny of the
Northern Kingdom based upon Hosea ( Hosea ) 1:9-10.
In
Romans chapters 9-11, the apostle Paul ( Rav Sha'ul ) links the
"Gentiles" to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In Romans 9:24, the
apostle Paul ( Rav Sha'ul ) links the "Gentiles" with the
prophecy of the Northern Kingdom in Hosea ( Hoshea ) 1:9-10,
where those who were called lo-ammi (not a people) are now
called " children of the living God " (Romans 9:25-26). In
Romans 10:19, the apostle Paul ( Rav Sha'ul ) quotes from the
Torah in Deuteronomy ( Devarim ) 32:21 where it prophesies that
a future people who would become " not a people " would be used
by the G-d of Israel to provoke Judah to jealousy. Finally, in Romans
11:11, the apostle Paul ( Rav Sha'ul ) links those who were
formerly " not a people
" (the Northern Kingdom) as being
"Gentiles" who would provoke Judah to jealousy in the end of days.
In
Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 44:1-5, it was prophesied that when the G-d
of Israel would outpour His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh upon
the descendents of Jacob in the end of days that they would SAY
and subscribe / pledge allegiance that they are descendents
(surnamed) from the house of Israel (Northern Kingdom).
Yeshua
taught and linked His death on the tree to the purpose of
regathering the lost sheep of the Northern Kingdom unto Him and their
reuniting with the house of Judah in the end of days. In John (Yochanan ) 10:14-19, Yeshua said that He is the "good
shepherd". By making this statement, Yeshua is making an
allusion to Ezekiel (Yechezekel ) 34:11-15, 23; 37:24 where
the "good shepherd" would restore and reunite both houses of Israel. In
John (Yochanan ) 10:16, Yeshua said that He has other
sheep (Northern Kingdom) who were not of the sheepfold of Judah
(Southern Kingdom) for whom He would die and lay down His life so that
there would be one sheepfold (John (Yochanan
) 10:16; 11:52-53).
In
first century Judaism there was an expectation from what is written in
the Torah and the Prophets that the Messiah would reunite both houses of
Israel (Isaiah ( Yeshayahu ) 49:5-6). For this reason, in Acts
1:6, Yeshua was asked by His disciples ( talmidim ))
when He would restore the Kingdom to Israel (reunite both houses of
Israel). Yeshua answered the question and said that both houses
of Israel would be reunited through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (
Ruach HaKodesh ). He also said that the message of the restoration
and reunification of both houses of Israel would be preached in all the
world as a witness (Acts 1:8). The apostle Paul ( Rav Sha'ul )
also preached the message of the restoration of both houses of Israel in
Acts 26:6-7.
The Messianic Redemption Is Like the Egyptian
Redemption
The
prophets of Israel teach us that this outpouring of the Holy Spirit (
Ruach HaKodesh ) to gather both houses of Israel will happen in the
end of days prior to the second coming of King Messiah ( Mashiach
). This began in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost ( Shavuot
) and culminates in the end of days when Yeshua will reign over
both houses of Israel (House of Jacob -- Luke 1:33) during the Messianic
Era. The prophets of Israel liken the future redemption of both houses
of Israel to the historical Egyptian redemption but on a global scale.
In Micah ( Michah ) 7:15 it is written:
According
to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I show
unto him marvelous things.
In Hosea ( Hoshea )
2:14-15 it is written:
Therefore, behold, I will
allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortable
unto her. And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley
of Achor [trouble] for a door of hope: and she shall sing
there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day
when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
In Ezekiel ( Yechezekel )
20:34-36 it is written:
And I will bring you out from
the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are
scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm
[historical Passover language], and with fury poured out. And I will
bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with
you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in
the wilderness of the land of Egypt , so will I plead
with you, saith the Lord God.
All Believers in Yeshua Have Been Redeemed From Egypt
When
doing a Passover Seder, you are supposed to see yourself as if you are
personally being redeemed from Egypt. In Exodus ( Shemot )
13:8, it is commanded that you shall show your son "in that day [future]
saying, This is done because of what the Lord did unto me [past] when I
[personally] came forth out of Egypt." In First Corinthians 10:1-4, the
apostle Paul ( Rav Sha'ul ) reminds the followers of Yeshua
as Messiah ( Mashiach ) to have the mindset that they and
their fathers were redeemed from Egypt. In Exodus ( Shemot )
15:1 it says, "I will sing " (future). This reminds us that
there will be a future redemption to come that will be like the
historical Egyptian redemption. Those redeemed in this future redemption
will sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb (Revelation 15:3).
For
a greater understanding of this future Ingathering of the Exiles /
Messianic Redemption or the restoration of both houses of Israel
(members of Christianity and Judaism) in the end of days, I would
encourage you to read the book that I've written on this subject
entitled, " Restoring the Two Houses
of Israel ".
The Conclusion of
Passover ( Pesach)
In
concluding our study of Passover ( Pesach ), we can see that
the G-d of Israel gave Passover ( Pesach) to His people so we
could understand the death of Yeshua on the tree during His
first coming, as well as understand our personal spiritual salvation in Yeshua from Pharaoh and Egypt (who is liked to satan [ ha
satan ] and the kingdom of sin and darkness). Furthermore, the
historical Egyptian Passover was also given by the G-d of Israel so we
could understand the future redemption of His people (both houses of
Israel who are today called by the corporate names of Christianity and
Judaism) in the end of days when they will return to the land of Israel
(specifically, the mountains of Israel or the West Bank). This
redemption will take place in the end of days prior to the coming of
King Messiah ( Mashiach ). Because of the historical
deliverance from the bondage of Egypt,
our personal salvation in Yeshua as Messiah ( Mashiach
) and our future redemption from exile in the nations of the world and
return to the land of Israel in the end of days, Passover (
Pesach ) has been given by the rabbis the appropriate title of the
"Feast of our Freedom !!!".
Understand the Festivals Volume 1 contains
four teachings. The first teaching is an introduction to understanding
the Biblical Festivals. It will answer the questions: What are the
Festivals? When are they celebrated? How do they teach us about Yeshua
the Messiah? What is the high sabbath? What is the role of the moon in
helping us to celebrate the Festivals? The last three teachings are the
first three of six lessons on Passover. The Passover teachings will
explain the principles and themes of exile and redemption and how the
historical Egyptian redemption is associated with understanding the end
of days. The events of Passover will explain how Moses encounter with
Pharaoh is associated with the parable of the sower and how the two
signs of Moses teach us about the resurrection of Yeshua and the coming
together of the two houses of Israel. Part 1 of 2 of the spiritual
application of Passover will explain how the events of the historical
Egyptian redemption will teach us about the death of Messiah on the tree
and our personal salvation in Him.
Yeshua
taught and linked His death on the tree to the purpose of
regathering the lost sheep of the Northern Kingdom unto Him and their
reuniting with the house of Judah in the end of days. In John (
Yochanan ) 10:14-19, Yeshua said that He is the "good
shepherd". By making this statement, Yeshua is making an
allusion to Ezekiel ( Yechezekel ) 34:11-15, 23; 37:24 where
the "good shepherd" would restore and reunite both houses of Israel. In
John ( Yochanan ) 10:16, Yeshua said that He has other
sheep (Northern Kingdom) who were not of the sheepfold of Judah
(Southern Kingdom) for whom He would die and lay down His life so that
there would be one sheepfold (John ( Yochanan
) 10:16; 11:52-53).
In
first century Judaism there was an expectation from what is written in
the Torah and the Prophets that the Messiah would reunite both houses of
Israel (Isaiah ( Yeshayahu ) 49:5-6). For this reason, in Acts
1:6, Yeshua was asked by His disciples ( talmidim ))
when He would restore the Kingdom to Israel (reunite both houses of
Israel). Yeshua answered the question and said that both houses
of Israel would be reunited through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (
Ruach HaKodesh ). He also said that the message of the restoration
and reunification of both houses of Israel would be preached in all the
world as a witness (Acts 1:8). The apostle Paul ( Rav Sha'ul )
also preached the message of the restoration of both houses of Israel in
Acts 26:6-7.
