Remember this Day!
REMEMBER THIS DAY!
(Passover, the 14th of Nisan, beginning this year at sundown, April 14, 2014)
“Remember this day.” (Moses to Israel, Exodus 13:3)
“Do this in remembrance of me.” (Jesus to His disciples, Luke 22:19)
Passover is one of “the Lord’s appointed feasts” (Leviticus 23:4) for all of God’s children, feasts that still have profound prophetic implications for us. Before you begin the meal, go outside and look at the full moon. The 14th day of the biblical month of Nisan (also called “Aviv”), is always a full moon, always a light in the sky. This Passover is the first of four consecutive “blood moons” on Passover and Tabernacles during this year and next.
Some may want to enjoy the “Seder” (meaning “order) with a “Haggadah” (meaning “the telling”), but Scripture, remembrance, and freedom in the Spirit are more important than style. This day is the most important anniversary date on God’s calendar, a remembering of Israel’s release from centuries of slavery, but also the anniversary of the Lamb of God, Yeshua’s execution – followed three days later by His resurrection.
Begin with the “woman of the house” reciting the following prayer as candles are lighted.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, Kings of the universe,
Who has delivered us from slavery and brought us into freedom through the Lamb of God,
Jesus/Yeshua, the Light of the world. We honor You, O God, in the lighting of these festive candles. Amen
Read aloud or tell the story of Passover night from Exodus 12. (Abbreviated version – 12:1-14, 21-42)
Read or tell the story of Jesus as reflected in John 1:29; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 11:23-26
Like the annual Passover lambs, Yeshua was chosen on the 10th day of Nisan, examined for four days to be sure He was flawless. Pilate had the last word: “I have examined him… and have found no basis for your charges” (Luke 23:14). In other words, “He is a Perfect Lamb, ready to be killed.”
On traditional Passover tables: a lamb bone (you may want to serve lamb), “bitter herbs” (horse radish, also parsley to be dipped in salt water to remember the tears and suffering), “charoset” (a mixture of apples, nuts, & sweet wine) to remind us of sweetness & hope even in the midst of suffering, unleavened bread and wine.
Take the wine! Blessed are you O Lord our God, King of the universe, who created the fruit of the vine! And
who took the Passover wine and said, “This is my blood of the new covenant.”
(In the traditional celebration, there are four cups: 1) sanctification-cleansing, often accompanied by a ceremonial washing of the hands; 2) suffering-slavery/plagues; 3) redemption-freedom 4) praise-restoration. We may want to remember all four as we take the wine.)
Take the bread! Blessed are you O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brought forth bread from the earth
and from heaven (There are traditionally three “Matzah,” the center Matzah broken and hidden to be discovered at the end of the meal – for believers this tradition points to Jesus, who was broken, hidden and revealed)
Eat together! Enjoy the meal! Remember! Rejoice!
During the meal, lead conversations about
our own deliverance from slavery and bondage into the joy and freedom in Messiah
what it means to be “saved by the blood” of the Lamb, passed over by death
anything else the Holy Spirit stirs in you as you share the evening together
Some time during the evening read: “Remember This Day” (below)
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“Remember this day!”
Passover – 14th Nisan
On this day, 3500 years ago, lambs were slaughtered throughout Goshen in Egypt.
Hyssop brushes stroked Jewish doorposts with lamb’s blood.
The children of Israel met quietly,
sequestered behind their bloodstained doors,
waiting to be delivered from 400 years of slavery.
On this night, 3500 years ago, the Lord went through the land looking for blood on doorposts.
There was a great deliverance, a pass-over.
Firstborn sons were slain in houses where there was no blood.
Wailing and mourning was heard when judgment came in Egypt.
On this night, 3500 years ago, freedom was proclaimed in Israel.
Firstborn sons of believing Israel were spared through the blood of the lamb.
The lamb’s blood painted on doorposts brought freedom.
The wealth of Egypt became the wealth of Israel.
Shouts of joy were heard as Moses led Israel out of Egypt.
On this night 3500 yeas ago, the exodus from Egypt came suddenly.
For 3500 years believers in God have remembered this night.
On this day, 2000 years ago, another Lamb was slain.
Human hearts were stroked with Lamb’s blood and freed from centuries of slavery.
On this day, 2000 years ago, the Lord began to look for Lamb’s blood on doorposts of hearts.
There was a great deliverance—a passing over.
On this day, 2000 years ago, wealth was restored to the sons of Adam,
Another Moses led another Israel out of another Egypt.
On this day, 2000 years ago, Lamb’s blood on the doorposts of hearts brought freedom.
Today…Lamb’s blood is still found on human hearts.
Deliverance is found behind a blood-stained door.
If the doorpost of your heart is stained with Lamb’s blood, have a glorious Passover season.
If not, grab quickly the hyssop and look for the Lamb’s blood.
The exodus will come suddenly and we will be ushered into a whole new glorious future.
The slain Lamb has risen and will return as King of kings and Lord of lords!
Blessings!
Don Finto
