Good morning, dear reader! As I dwell on the Passover feast and the Seder, it makes me so appreciative of Christ’s work on the cross so that we may be saved! Is there a greater gift than this? (Romans 6:23) We are approaching the season where we celebrate the Saviour’s birth and without His birth, there would be no death or resurrection, amen?
As we look at the other elements of the Seder plate, we’ll see that they are reminders to Israel of their slavery in Egypt. Each element plays a traditional role which helps them to remember what God did for them. The next element is the vegetable, which is called the karpas. It’s usually parsley dipped in salted water. It’s a “picture” of the hyssop that was used to paint the blood of the Passover lamb around the door frame. The salted water represents all the tears shed during their enslavement in Egypt and how God parted the Red Sea. As a Christian, this reminds me of the hyssop that was used to give vinegar as a drink to the Saviour as He was hanging on the cross. (John 19:29) When I think of my Saviour enduring the agony of the cross, I can’t help but cry.
The next element are the bitter herbs, called “maror” in Hebrew. Exodus 12:8 tells us that this was commanded to be a part of the Passover feast. Today, they usually use horseradish, which is one of the most bitter herbs. This element reminds the celebrants that they could not offer sacrifices to God and that was more bitter to them than their enslavement in Egypt. For me as a believer, my life here on earth is bitter compared to my eternal life with Christ. I also see it as my life before I knew Christ. It was quite bitter until He became my Lord and Saviour and He now produces sweet fruit in my heart!
Another element on the Seder plate is the charoset. This is a mixture of apples, nuts, wine and spices. Charoset represents the mortar used in building by the Israelites during their enslavement. My Jewish friend said that was everyone’s favorite part! 😁 It is the only sweet element on the Seder plate and is a reminder of their hope of redemption! (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 9:15) For the believer, does this bring to mind the beautiful hymn “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”? Yes, it is sweet to have Jesus in our lives. There is none greater and none who can bring the joy and peace that He brings! Praise God for His redemption!
The last of the elements is the hard-boiled or roasted egg, which in Hebrew is the baytzah. Jewish tradition says that those who mourned the loss of a loved one ate hard-boiled eggs. The roasted egg in the Seder reminds the participants that they mourn the loss of their temple. To the Christian, it could represent that we are the temple of God and no longer need that temple made with hands. (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19)
Oh dear reader, do you not see Jesus in each of the details we covered today? Do you know the Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, personally or do you only know of Him? I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!