I've attended a Seder in the past. My sister-in-love usually observes. It's something I've always been interested in doing, but between the American holidays, Mongolian holidays, Christian holidays, and birthdays, it seems like it has never worked out. Plus, to be quite frank, it overwhelmed me to think about observing Passover.
However, the Lord really took the lead on this one. In our world history textbook we are in the middle of the Hebrews' Exodus from Egypt. We have twice been to the Holy Land Exhibition in Los Angeles lately. And several of our friends observe. And so, we decided to dive in.
Let me tell you, it has been AMAZING! The preparation alone have just blessed us beyond measure. We've taught the kids about freedom and bondage, cleansing sin out of our lives, the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world, and supernatural deliverance. We've been reading about Jewish symbols (and how they point to Christ) and making crafts. Yesterday we finished some serious cleaning around here and took all the chametz (leaven) out of the house. When we did so, the kids prayed for the Holy Spirit to remove all the leaven (sin) from our hearts so that we would be ready for His Coming!
Tonight we are having our Seder. We are having a few friends join us. Last night as I was cooking, finishing cleaning, typing the Haggadah, wrapping some gifts, and fussing over minute details, I was getting a little stressed! And I felt the Lord say, "Lighten up! This ritual is to REMEMBER your salvation, not to EARN IT!" Hallelujah for that!!!
I came across this article from Dr. Chuck Pierce about why Christians should observe Passover. The most compelling thing for me in deciding to jump in and do it, though, was simply the Lord's words in Exodus 12:14, "This day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord. Throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance.” I had previously not given much thought to the fact that the Passover was to be a permanent (some translations say "lasting") ordinance throughout all generations! The Lord has never ammended that directive.
Last night on the radio I heard a rabbi say (as best I can remember his quote), "We do a lot of odd things on Passover by today's standards. There are old traditions that just seem wierd in our society. But, that's the point. It's to make the children ask, 'Why are we doing this?' The tradition is to pique curiousity, so that the next generation asks and the story can be told."
Retelling stories of salvation (the Exodus, Christ on the cross, and one's own personal testimony) is powerful--more than we know.
Pesach blessings to you and your family! May your celebration be with joy--the joy of knowing that we are no longer slaves, but free in Him!
Can I get an "Amen"?!?!
4 comments:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN!!!
I wish we were there to obserce Seder with you!!!
xoxo
AMEN! <3 Seder with the midwife I apprentice with and 25 other people was a blessed occasion Monday evening :) I hope yours went just as well!
We celebrated Passover once, for a class my husband was taking at Bible College, with some of his classmates and the professor. I cooked a meal, and used some food that my Jewish friend back in New York sent me, and used some recipes she sent me from the internet. It was so moving! The professor said, "The Holy Spirit is here!!" (We know that He is everpresent, but His presence seemed specially manifested at that dinner!)
Amen! My husband and I started discussing celebrating Passover a little too late this year (like, two nights ago ;-)), but we will do it next year. Thank you so much for the extra encouragement! This is a great post!
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