Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays of the year. It is a time to remember what God has done in liberating the Jewish people – affirming, consecrating, and preserving them as His own people. Passover is a time for retelling the story of Passover and God’s rescue of His people from slavery in Egypt. For Messianic Jews, it is also a time of remembering this holy day in Messiah Yeshua’s (Jesus’) death and resurrection. Identifying the symbolism and ways in which Passover points to Yeshua will infuse your Passover with rich meaning – whether you are Messianic Jew or Gentile.

Remembering 

“Why is this night different from all other nights?” a child asks during the Passover Seder.

An elder replies according to the Haggadah, a guide for conducting the Passover Seder. “Tonight is different because we remember that our people were slaves in Egypt under Pharaoh, and our God brought us out with strength and the might of His hand,” he says. “If God had not brought us out, we would still be slaves.”

Jewish people remember the events of Passover:

• Slavery – Restricted by their captivity, the Jewish people were owned by Pharaoh, subject to his will and suffering deeply because of their slavery to him
• Miracles – God caused astounding, supernatural events to occur in the process of saving His people. These miracles exhibited the power of God as greater than that of Pharaoh, and they testified that He is the one true God.
• Sacrifice – The Passover lamb was sacrificed so that its blood, spread on the doorpost and lintel of each Jewish home, provided the covering required to escape the death of all the firstborn in Egypt. Because of the blood of the lamb, Jewish people in Egypt were saved from death.
• Delivered and Set Free – Given life in the face of death, the Hebrews were set free from their bondage to Egypt and were freed to walk out of the land that had mastered them for so long

Each of these aspects of Passover bears New Covenant meaning and parallel. Messianic Jews remember at Passover what Yeshua did for us through His death and resurrection that gave us freedom from a captivity to sin that is even more powerful than that of the Hebrews to Pharaoh.

• Slavery to Sin – We were slaves to sin, unable to please God or meet His standard of righteousness. We could not have fellowship with Him because of our sin.
• Ministry of Miracles – Yeshua did countless miracles during His ministry on earth. They testify that Yeshua has both the power and authority to defeat sin and deliver us from its reign over us.
• Sacrifice – Yeshua’s blood was brought into the heavenly Holy of Holies to make atonement for our sin once and for all. His death offered us His redemption. Through His shed blood, we have redemption from our sin. His life, given for us, brings us out of death and into life in Him.
• Freed to New Life – Given life in Messiah, we are set free from the bondage to sin and freed to walk in newness of life and fellowship with God (Romans 6:4). “If God had not brought us out, we would still be slaves.”

Retelling

Retelling is a big part of remembering. Retelling brings the details to the front of our mind, where we are able to marvel anew at what the Lord has done. During the Passover Seder, the story of Passover found in the book of Exodus is recounted.

The apostle Paul identified Yeshua as our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), and He is the fulfillment of the meaning of Passover. Retelling the account of Yeshua’s sacrificial death and resurrection highlights how Passover is a shadow of God’s ultimate plan of salvation for all humankind through Messiah Yeshua.

At Yeshua’s Last Supper, He declared that He had earnestly desired to eat that Passover meal with His disciples (Luke 22:15). Therefore, Messianic Jews often add the New Covenant practice of Communion during their Passover meal.

Here are some additional New Covenant Scripture readings to enhance how to celebrate Passover as a follower of Yeshua:

Revealing

One of the most exciting elements of the Passover Seder for Messianic Jews is the symbolism found in the Afikomen, a special piece of matzah broken during the Seder and hidden to be “revealed” later.

Jewish tradition includes placing three pieces of matzah into a matzah tosh, a cloth pouch containing three sections, one piece in each section. The matzah represents the “bread of affliction” which the Jewish people ate in the land of Egypt. For Messianic Jews, it’s hard not to also see a parallel between these three pieces of matzah and the three manifestations of the One God of the Bible – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

During the Seder, the second piece of unleavened bread is taken out of the matzah tosh and broken in two. Messianic Jews, as well as Gentile Believers, remember when Yeshua, the Son of God, broke bread declaring it His body given for us (Luke 22:14-23).

The largest piece of the broken matzah is called the Afikomen, and it gets hidden somewhere in the house for the children to search for later. The child who finds it brings it to the leader of the Seder, who then “redeems” it for a prize. This redemption reminds Messianic Jews that Yeshua has redeemed us and given us the gift of eternal life.

Further symbolism of the Afikomen is revealed by it being taken away for a time during the Seder and later reunited with the Passover table. This speaks to Messianic Jews of how Yeshua has gone away from us for a time here on earth with the promise to return (John 14:3). Yeshua will return for us one day, and we will know our final redemption. Until then, we lift Him up and celebrate Him as our Passover Lamb, the Messiah sent to deliver us from sin.

For daily Passover devotionals, visit these links: 

Yeshua, Our Passover Lamb – Passover Devotional 1

He Heard the Cry of Our Affliction – Passover Devotional 2

When I See the Blood – Passover Devotional 3

If God Had Not – Passover Devotional 5

Free Indeed – Passover Devotional 6

Freed to Serve A Good Master – Passover Devotional 7

Living Ready – Passover Devotional Day 8

Whether you favored Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in last year’s election, our responsibility remains the same as Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) AND supporters of a Jewish state: to pray for and seek productive relations between the two nations and to pray for those in leadership. I hope you’ll join me in praying for that in the weeks ahead. Here are some ways to pray:
 

1. Strengthened U.S.-Israel ties and productive relations between leaders in each country
    
2. World opinion and sympathy toward Israel to grow more favorable and fair, including in the United Nations
    
3. Healing to replace the division and strife experienced in so many countries
    
4. Building unity, first among the Body of Messiah and also throughout our nations
    
5. That we recognize and honor God as having ultimate dominion and authority
    
6. World leaders to humble themselves before God
    
7. God to draw the leaders of the world to faith in Yeshua
    
8. Righteous leaders who fear God and love truth
    
9. Leaders to rule with integrity, with God’s guidance

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How is Messianic Judaism Different than Christianity?

One of the most common questions we receive is, “What is the difference between Messianic Judaism and Christianity?” The key to better understanding the differences between Messianic Judaism and Christianity is to first understand the foundations of both religions as they spring from Judaism.

1. Jewish people are descendants of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and acknowledge Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the patriarchs of Israel and the Jewish people. Historically, Jewish people have not acknowledged Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah promised to Israel.

2. Christians are typically non-Jews who have responded to Yeshua in faith to experience spiritual rebirth and reconciliation to God.

3. Messianic Jews are people of Jewish heritage who maintain their Jewish identity and acknowledge Yeshua as the Messiah.

Differences between Messianic Jews and Christians:

Once you understand the history of Judaism, Christianity, and Messianic Judaism, you can begin to dive deeper into the similarities and differences between Messianic Jews and Christians. Here are a few of the major differences between the two.

Biblical text

Messianic Jews and Christians both embrace the entire Hebrew Bible and the New Testament as Spirit-inspired Holy Writ. However, many Messianic Jews continue to live by the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah, something most Christians do not do.

Sabbath

Messianic Jewish people observe the Sabbath, or Shabbat, during the traditional Jewish time starting before sunset on Friday evening until Saturday night. While there are several theories on when the Christian church deviated from the traditional Jewish day of Shabbat, Christians have been observing the Sabbath on Sundays since the second century.

Holidays

Christians observe holidays that are disconnected from the Bible, like Christmas and Easter Sunday. While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus (Yeshua) and Easter Sunday celebrates His resurrection, the timing of these holidays historically corresponds with pagan holidays. Messianic Jewish people also observe the resurrection of Yeshua from the dead, believing His resurrection is evidence of His finished work in conquering sin and death for us. Messianic Jews generally celebrate Yeshua’s resurrection on the the first day of First Fruits, the first day of the week after the "weekly" Shabbat after Passover. Additionally, Messianic Jews observe the traditional Jewish holidays and feasts such as Purim, Chanukah, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), and the Feast of Booths (Sukkot).

Dietary Laws

Most Christians do not observe the biblical commandments regarding dietary practices. These include the avoidance of scavengers of land or sea, with the exception of mammals that both chew the cud and have cloven hooves, like sheep, goats, and deer. For many Messianic Jewish people, the basic biblical commandments found in the Torah are still observed. This observance enables Messianic Jewish people to maintain their God-given identities as Jews.

The Messiah and the Jewish People

While there are many similarities between Messianic Judaism, Christianity, and Judaism, Messianic Jewish people embrace their Jewish heritage, while believing that Yeshua is the Messiah, the promised Redeemer of Israel and all of mankind. If you’re interested in learning more about Messianic Jewish people or Jewish Voice Ministries, contact us or visit our about us page.

Have you ever been in exactly the right place at exactly the right time to be a part of something great? Maybe it was someone else who was there at just the right moment for you. They came to your rescue just when you needed it, saving the day, solving the problem, turning bad circumstances to good. At times like these, you know God is looking out for you and stepping in on your behalf. God intervenes for His people in both small and grand ways – sometimes really grand ways.

That’s how it was for the Jewish people among the Diaspora when Esther came along. An orphaned maiden, she lived with Mordecai, her cousin and adoptive guardian, at the time when King Ahasuerus ruled over the fifth-century B.C. Jewish people. The Jews were dispersed in a kingdom that stretched from Turkey into Eastern Europe and from Ethiopia into India.

Queen Vashti displeased the king, so he banished her from the throne and conscripted beautiful maidens from his kingdom to undergo twelve months of beautification. From them, the king would choose his next queen. Esther was among them and kept her Jewish heritage a secret. When the time came for the king to select his queen, he chose Esther. Still, she did not disclose her Jewishness.

Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king and told Esther. Esther, in turn, informed the king in Mordecai’s name, thus saving the king’s life. The would-be murderers were hanged, and the incident was recorded in the kings’ Book of Chronicles.

After these events, the king promoted an official named Haman and commanded that everyone bow and pay homage to him. Mordecai refused because he could only bow before the one true God. Haman was enraged and set out to kill not just Mordecai but all the Jewish people in the kingdom. He convinced the king these people were a threat to his rule because of their undivided loyalty to God alone. King Ahasuerus gave Haman authority to “do with them as you please” (Esther 3:11), and Haman issued an irrevocable decree in the king’s name to kill all the Jews – young and old, men, women, and children – in one day.

When Mordecai learned of the coming slaughter, he sat at the king’s gate in sackcloth weeping and wailing. Esther sent word to find out what was troubling him. The servant relayed to Esther all that Mordecai had told him, including his appeal for Esther to go to the king and plead for her people.

Going before the king when not summoned meant death if the king did not extend his golden scepter to the one who dared such a thing, and Esther had not been summoned to the king for thirty days. When the servant relayed these words from Esther to Mordecai, Mordecai spoke a message that held warning, faith, and prophetic insight.

Mordecai warned: “Do not think in your soul that you will escape in the king’s household more than all the Jews” (Esther 4:13).

He trusted God, saying, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place,” and warned again, “but you and your father’s house will perish” (Esther 4:14a).

Then, Mordecai conveyed a message that echoes through the ages with some of the most inspirational insight to anyone in a position of influence or power. He said, “Who knows whether you have attained royal status for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b).

We are asking the Lord to do wonders during our upcoming medical clinic in Woliso, Ethiopia! If you are in agreement, then you know that although our preparations and hard work have positive impact, it is our prayers that most effectively prepare the way for God to do wonders through our team of medical, dental, and non-professional outreach partners. Please join us in praying for wonders for Woliso, day by day! Also, please sign up to pray from home for this critical outreach – our goal is for prayer partners to cover every hour of the outreach. Sign up for your prayer time here, and also join us in these daily prayers, below.

Friday, March 17

Our advance team as they journey to Ethiopia. May the Lord meet with them, speak to them, and renew their strength even as they travel.  

Saturday, March 18

Ease and favor as the advance team begins to take care of all the final details onsite.

Sunday, March 19

Blessing for all authorities and leaders in the region, and for our relationships with them.  

Monday -Tuesday, March 20-21

Wisdom, discernment, and stamina are often needed as our advance team deals with the urgent and unexpected. Pray they find all that and more available to them in the Lord.  

Wednesday, March 22

Local leaders who have been doing their own preparations for this medical outreach; ask the Lord to bless them, their people and community.

Thursday, March 23

Our amazing volunteer outreach participants who will begin their group travel to Ethiopia. Pray for safe travels, all connections to be made, and all luggage to arrive safely.

Friday, March 24

As our partners arrive, pray for good rest and the ability to adapt to the new time zone. Pray for everyone to also adapt well to new foods and living arrangements. May Shalom guard their hearts and minds in Yeshua (Jesus).

Saturday, March 25

The hiring of local workers who will whole-heartedly serve throughout the week. May they be blessed and impacted by their time with us.

Sunday, March 26

The Lord’s assistance in the last minute details and that everything and everyone is ready as those we will be serving begin to arrive for care.

Monday, March 27

The Lord to enable our team―made up of staff, volunteers, and local workers―to serve together in unity and love.

Tuesday, March 28

Health and protection for all serving in our medical outreach, and for their families back home. May the Lord make this a time of blessing and not hardship for all involved.

Wednesday, March 29

The Lord to give our team the faith, skill, and wisdom to deal with each person, situation, or

circumstance which may present itself. May each outreach participant experience the joy of blessing others.

Thursday, March 30

The Lord to give strength and power to our team members. As the week winds down, may their energy and effectiveness rise up!

Friday, March 31

Any who were not able to be treated due to the clinic closing today. May the Lord bring them the healing and care they need!

Saturday, April 1

The Lord to bless our outreach staff and participants as they deal with final details and transition out of the intense work of the clinic into preparing to go home.  

Sunday, April 2

As this first Ethiopian medical clinic of 2017 ends, continue to ask for the Lord’s blessing on all of Ethiopia, and intercede for our upcoming clinics there later this year, in Debre Birhan, and Kechene.  

Monday, April 3

May the Lord bring everyone and all their belongings, home safely. Pray “rear-guard prayers” over all that transpired during this week of care in the name of Yeshua, and for local leaders who will continue to follow-up on the care of those whom we treated.