As a Jewish boy growing up in a kosher home, Passover was a big deal – so much so that, during the Passover week, my mother did not let me eat lunch at school. She would pick me up at school, drive me home, feed me lunch with foods that were kosher for Passover, and then drive me back to school – all in less than a half hour! And she did this for each of my brothers, even though we were at two or three different schools!
On Passover we had special dinners, called Seders (pronounced “Say-ders”), during which we read of our people’s cruel bondage under Pharaoh and deliverance from slavery in Egypt under Moses. We recounted how the Jewish people were spared the plague of the death of their firstborn because they placed the blood of the Passover Lamb on the doorposts of their homes.
While I knew that Passover was in the Jewish Bible, known as the “Old Testament”, I was later surprised to learn that Passover was mentioned in the New Testament as well. Why would this Jewish holiday be mentioned in the Christian Bible?
And Passover is not just mentioned in the New Testament. It is a focus of the most important events in Jesus’ life. His death, burial and resurrection all took place during the Passover week. Jesus died on Passover, at the time of day that the Passover Lamb was slain in Jerusalem. Jesus fulfilled many other requirements of the Passover Lamb. The New Testament, remarkably, says that Jesus is:
“our Passover Lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
He is called “the Lamb” 25 times in the Book of Revelation alone, and was introduced as:
“The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29.
Passover was a big deal to Jesus and his followers because the Passover Lamb pointed to the sacrifice He would make to redeem His people from their slavery to sin.
Jesus’ “Last Supper” appears to have been a Passover Seder. Jesus looked forward to participating in that Seder, saying:
“With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Luke 22:15.
Everyone is invited to experience a Passover Seder on April 11, 2020 at the Knicely Conference Center in Bowling Green. We will tell the story of Passover from both a traditional Jewish perspective and also explain its significance to Jesus’ followers. The Seder will celebrate the deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt and the ultimate deliverance to which Passover points – the deliverance from sin promised by the Jewish prophets to the Jewish people and to the entire world.
The Seder will include special music and a full meal. We’ll also have special activity packages for young children (who usually love the Seder – and want to come back the next year!)
For more information, see “Passover Seder Banquet” below.
May you be blessed during this season and always.
-by Jonathan Sacks
About the Author: Jonathan Sacks is the Congregational Leader of Hope in Messiah Congregation in Bowling Green. He comes from a traditional Jewish family with 19 generations of Rabbis. He also practices law in Warren County and surrounding counties.
